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Talking Polls and Beyond

'Election will be held on time and there is no alternative to it'
Born in 1938 in Sirajganj, Prof Talukder Maniruzzaman got admission to Dhaka University to study political science after passing HSC from Jagannath College. He obtained honours degree in 1959 and master degree the next year. Going to Canada with a Commonwealth scholarship later, he obtained PhD degree in political science in 1966. He joined department of political science at Rajshahi University the same year. He joined Dhaka University in 1974 and taught political science till the end of his career in 2001. Prof Maniruzzaman has written nine books on politics and security including 'Military Withdrawal from the Politics, Security of Small States' and 'Bangladesh Revolution and Its Aftermath'. Shamim Ashraf took the Interview.
How much the country has advanced since 1/11?
It was first said that 1/11 was just the reflection of a political disaster. But now it is said that it was really done by armed forces with civilians' help. Sensing their defeat in the January 22 elections, Awami League in a way helped bring about the changes. AL might have thought they would benefit if army comes to power, but that didn't happen. However, few ideas have been thrown open which will continue to remain in politics, and politicians have got some realisation which will also remain.
After getting two-third majority, a party became reckless and made some lapses. We expect the lapses will be addressed after the election by whatever party comes to power. Politicians in some way see it as a journey back, but it was a period of experience and learning that'll help us in future. There is no big and visible result. The caretaker government has not been able to bring about major reforms either in politics or in society. But some factors have come up which will influence politics for the better. Why do you think the government has failed?
They took too much on their plates though they neither had the time nor capability for those. There is fundamental lack of efficiency' in the whole process of administration and rule by the
caretaker government. They didn't really understand the political culture of the country. Without realising that Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina represent two main political streams of the country, they thought the two could be removed from politics.
Earlier you said the reforms were imposed...
The provisions of one-third women members, electing leaders, and transparent financial dealings'as in the RPO should be in political parties' election manifesto. If people support, parties will finalise those and make law accordingly. In an opposite picture, these are being imposed on people. Though political parties should have taken the lead instead of the EC, no party earlier moved willingly to do this. The AL earlier issued a 31 -point reform move but didn't thrust it and the BNP didn't join in it. But the discussions over the past nine months at various levels will force the parties to do this now.
Has the government or the EC retreated from reforms?
The government or the EC cannot alone bring about the changes; political parties must cooperate. Once they have realised the reality of the value of politics and that political parties are a reality, they have started relaxing the procedure. Now they understand they at
least need to go hand in hand if success is to be achieved.
What could be the proper approach for reform?
The caretaker government attempted to teach the political parties some lessons on politics, which was wrong. Barrister Mainul Hossain (former law adviser) was the spokesman of it and it was what caused his fall. The political parties were needed to be taken into confidence and there should have been a rapprochement between them.
How do you see special laws, special courts and success of anti-corruption drive?
Formulating special laws and special courts has damaged the drive. It cannot be termed enforcement of rule of law. Rule of law is applying conventional laws and general court.
The approach to fight corruption by arresting and trying some high profile persons was not proper. The drive has thinned out due to arresting too many people, and many for nothing. Their fundamental rights were violated, and the whole drive created unnecessary hoax and propaganda. It is now proved that fighting corruption is a big challenge which cannot be done in a very simplistic manner. A long-term programme for social, political and administrative reforms is needed to
achieve this goal. The caretaker government neither had time nor the capability for this. They didn't even touch the administration.
How do you see the political situation at the moment?
Political parties and the EC are taking a cooperative approach, and everyone is now talking about compromise. This will facilitate smooth holding of election and transition of power.
Do you apprehend any violence during campaign or polls?
I don't, because people are very much involved in election mentally. This time there may not be any rigging because people are very aware and leaders have got a realisation.
How to ensure democracy in political parties?
Leaders need a genuine commitment to the process of starting democracy from the grassroots and consider people as source of power. Recall system, as in some parts of the US, can be introduced in the electoral law instead of 'No Vote'. If the candidate is proved not good for people, he can be called back and there should be repoll after passing half time of the tenure.
How do you see the EC's reform move, especially registration of political parties?
The process of parties' registration should have started much earlier.
Despite having enough time, the EC whiled it away. They were supposed to do it six months ago. When it is less than three months now, how the parties would hold their council, change their consti tution and fulfil all the requirements? The procedure needs to be simplified: just two main condi tions were enough for registration, holding regular councils in line with parties' own constitution, and ensuring transparent financial dealings. What have been achieved in two years including the voter list could be done in one year if things were started earlier seriously.
How to ensure transparent financial dealings of political parties?
Regular auditing of parties' funding and expenditure and publishing the accounts should be made a law. There can be provision there of independent auditors. Those who were in power in the past didn't do it because they didn't want to disclose the dealings.
How to make the parties shun confrontational politics?
Recent developments to some extent brought realisation to the leaders. We already notice some changes in their pronouncements. Both Khaleda and Hasina said they would do everything through democratic methods, and nothing will be done arbitrarily and thrust from above. AL remains far ahead in this.
There is a discussion about bringing Khaleda and Hasina to a table...
I don't think it's necessary. They should be completely free to participate in the election process. There should be a system in the electoral law for debate during the election period. They should face each other before the public where they will put their arguments on behalf of their parties.
The process needs to be initiated this year, even in small scale. However, we welcome if they sit and reach consensus that electoral issues should be political issues not personal issues. Agreement on not enforcing hartal and boycotting parliament also can be discussed and come in election manifesto.
What's your opinion about the so-called Minus-2 formula?
The formula was framed because the government didn't understand the political culture of the country. Two ladies represent two dominant theories and fundamental divisions of politics--Bangladeshi nationalism and Bangalee nationalism. They have become integral part of our political system and culture in that way. But the government failed to understand that. However, I think the criticism of their sticking to party position for years also has brought some lessons for them.
Do you still see uncertainty about election slated for Dec 18?
There is a feeling of uncertainty among people, which is the reflection of distrust on people who really guide the caretaker government. However, the voter list is done and there seems to be no hurdle to election, and I hope the election is going to be held in time. In fact, there is no alternative to it. People will not accept anything else. If anything else even takes place, that won't last.
How to keep away the corrupt elements from being elected?
It is unrealistic to expect totally clean candidates in politics. Like the city elections, many unclean candidates will also come out victorious in the parliamentary elections. However, the practice of nominating cadres and businessmen and buying votes would be reduced to some extent
because there is already a realisation among the policymakers. The 1/11 shake and discussions over the months have created an atmosphere for the start of clean politics. But we have to remember that change in politics comes slowly and incrementally. There'll be election but it will be wrong to hope we'll get absolute and perfect democracy after the election. The government said there'll be
emergency during elections...
Emergency and free elections do not go together. Freedom of movement, speech, procession and assembly, which are the ingredients of free election, will remain curtailed during emergency. Since the existing law and order situation is good, what's the problem to withdraw emergency? If needed, the President can impose it locally fora temporary period.