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Talking polls and beyond

Keep a law for public debate among leaders

Talukder Maniruzzaman proposes

Shamim Ashraf
Political scientist Prof Talukder Maniruzzaman has proposed incorporating in electoral laws a provision for public debates among top leaders of political
Dhaka University professor said.
He insisted that the practice should be initiated this year.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, Maniruzzaman said there is no need for bringing BNP
parties before national polls.
‘The leaders should face each other before the public and put arguments justifying their election manifestos," the former
Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina to a table. The two leaders can take part in public debates
SEE PAGE 15 COL 3 FROM PAGE 1
where they can reach agreement on issues of national importance.
The'Minus-2'formula was framed as the government failed to understand the political culture of the coun -try, Maniruzzaman noted. The two leaders represent two dominant political theories— Bangladeshi nationalism and Bangalee national-ism-and have become integral part of the political culture.
Demanding complete withdrawal of the state Of emergency, he said (state of) emergency and free elections do not go together as emergency rules curtail key ingredients of an election-- freedom of movement, speech, procession and assembly. "If needed, the president can impose state of emergency locally for a temporary period," he observed.
The Election Commission delayed initiating the process of political parties’ registration, he said. What nave been accomplished in two years, including preparation of voter list, could be done in one year if things were started in earnest earlier.
Without taking political parties into confidence, the government attempted to impose reforms on them and wrongly tried to teach them political lessons, he remarked.
In politics, it is unrealistic to expect totally clean candidates, and some unclean candidates will also come out victorious in parliamentary polls, he said. "The practice of nominating cadres and businessmen, and buying votes will reduce to some extent because there is a realisation among the policymakers.’’
Find details of the interview on page 11