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The glass is half-empty

Muhammad Zamir
One hopes that 2008 will enable the caretaker administration to not only complete the serial steps associated with good governance but also to coordinate successfully its other duty -- ensuring that the common people can at least survive on a basic diet, not milk and honey, but dal, rice and a green chilli, in relative safety. Only then, one will be able to term the glass as half-full and not half-empty.
SUCCESS and failure are two sides of the same coin. Consistent with this philosophy. the past year will be remembered for all the complex series of initiatives aimed at creating a more transparent, participator)’ and accountable governance. It will also be recalled for many developments that have recently made this administration controversial -- steep rise in prices of essential commodities and a sense of uncertainty with regard to application of emergency provisions.
There have been several measures, which have been welcomed by the citizens at large as well as our development partners. The caretaker administration, in this context, has reconstituted the Election Commission (EC) and the Public Sendee Commission (PSC). They have also created a new matrix for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and taken into custody hundreds of alleged corrupt politicians, public servants and members of the business community. These steps were taken with the expectation that reforms within these institutions would eventually lead to a more functional and meaningful governance.
Several other measures have
also been undertaken towards the re-invigoration of business and trade. These include the establishment of a Regulatory Reforms Commission (RCC) and the Better Business Forum (BBF). Analysts have interpreted these steps as being directed not only towards restoring confidence within the business community but also for providing the necessary impetus for domestic and foreign direct investment within our economic infrastructure.
In the same vein, consistent with stated objectives, efforts have been undertaken to ensure a free, fair and credible election. That has included necessary action pertaining to correction of the national voter list and the preparation of the voters ID Card. There has also been the separation and independence of the judiciary' from the executive and the establishment of the National Human Rights Commission.
We have also finally witnessed the acknowledgement by the government of the true contribution of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman towards our struggle for independence. Historical facts are being correctly represented in textbooks.
Lastly, the past year has also seen an embattled administration (with the constructive assistance of our armed forces) tackle suc-
cessfully, despite scant resources, the after-effects of two major natural disasters -- twin flooding and the disastrous cyclone Sidr. This has necessitated the providing of relief and the rehabilitation of tens of millions of people throughout the country.
However, all these laudable steps and half-steps have been only one side of the coin. There is also another side, and it is this that worries me.
The problem also seems to lie in the fact that the administration is trying to achieve too many things in a short span of time. As a result, their efforts have been comparatively thin on the ground. It has also led some to suggest that there is lack of transparency and clarity in the process of decision-making and also in the according of priorities within this administration. This, in turn, has given rise to unnecessary rumours and doubts with regard to national tasks being completed within the declared time frame.
The latest shuffle within the administration is a case in point. The four advisers were probably dropped to infuse fresh blood after the High Court ruled that this was a caretaker format and not an interim government (and consequently unable to expand the council any further).
Several analysts, including myself, had over the past weeks, been stressing on the need for spring-cleaning to restore accountability and transparency within the governing structure. The forced or voluntary resignations were probably induced to assign responsibilities for perceived failures and to restore the image of the government. The decision in this regard appears to have also been taken without the principal actors being aware of their impending fates.
Nevertheless, it has been a welcome step. One can now hope that the caretaker administration will find within itself the necessary commitment to be able to under-
take further remedial measures. One will also look forward to less of antagonistic talk with the media after this shuffle, and more of conciliatory engagement.
One year has passed. The reconstituted EC has informed us that more than 22 million voters have been successfully registered. It may be recalled that the process began in August 2007 and gained momentum in the month of December, when 10.2 million voters were enrolled. Apparently, according to the EC, nearly four lakh voters are now being listed every day in 85 areas where the enlisting is going on. It has also been suggested that the remain- ing 75 percent task of preparing the voter list with photographs will be completed in the next five or six months.
Good. Let us then stick to this timetable. Let the redrawing of the constituencies on the basis of demography also be completed by that time, along with the desired amendments to the rules pertaining to elections. Let the electoral campaign subsequently start in right earnest from July 1 without any emergency restrictions. The elections at the local and national levels could then be held at the same time, at the end of September 2008. This happens in Western Europe and the USA. So, why not here?
Such an announcement, and an electoral road map within this month by the chief adviser and the chief election commissioner, will set to rest all rumours about the future electoral process. It will also enable the different political parties to consult within themselves, and fully prepare for the comingelection.
The caretaker government, to assist this dynamics, should also immediately permit free indoor political activity within political party offices at all levels starting from Thanas. While doing so, it could be decreed that such an opportunity does not include political presence on the streets in the form of processions.
This is another year and a new beginning. I am an optimist at heart and believe that we can, with sufficient political will, sincerity and dedication overcome difficulties. What is required, however, is growth in trust and confidence
among all the major stakeholders -- political representatives, the armed forces, those associated with trade and business, the civil society and the media. Time has come for us to initiate serious dialogue with and among these sections.
Right now, a review of strategy is required. There is need for sharing of ideas and inter-acting with political representatives in particular. This will contribute to greater understandingand thefixingofan acceptable future agenda.
The chairman of the Regulatory Reforms Commission has correctly pointed out that "it is difficult for an unelected government to take hard decisions." Longterm solutions to problems -- like a suitable mechanism for containing rise in prices of essentials, the tackling of natural disasters and the making of newly created institutions more effective -- can only be found through an elected Parliament.
It is true that the process of functional and meaningful democracy demands corrective reforms within the political parties themselves, and inculcating in their mind-set the value of bipartisanship on national issues within the Parliament and its parliamentary sub-committees. It is this, which can strengthen the democratic structure. It must also be understood that this cannot be established through the breaking up of the existing leadership and creating alternative structures of decision making top-down.
This administration has a historic opportunity. It has taken many important remedial mea- sures. It must now, however, restore trust in the democratic system through participatory engagement. That will not be accomplished through just the reconstitution of constitutional bodies, or the establishment of a truth commission or a national security council. Democracy will flourish only when there is due process of law.
Some people have formed new political parties with dubious aims and objectives. Some others have tried to show that they are honest by getting on board the reform express. The question is whether their disparate participation will contribute sufficiently enough, either in the common pursuit of democracy by the end of 2008 or in the holding of a credible election. The administration will also have to be careful to ensure that their approach towards prevention of corruption and steps taken in this regard are seen to be consistent with equity and legal provisions. These are essential for the villain to remain so, and not emerge later as a victor (after the next election).
One hopes that 2008 will enable the caretaker administration to not only complete the serial steps associated with good governance but also to coordinate successfully its other duty — ensuring that the common people can at least survive on a basic diet, not milk and honey, but dal, rice and a green chilli, in relative safety. Only then, one will be able to term the glass as half-full and not half-empty.
Muhammad Zamnr is a former Secretary and Ambassador who can be reached at mzamir@dhaka net