Transitional Government for Constitutional Reforms

The December elections are posed to pave the way for a government much in the style of Nepal’s onstituent Assembly, aimed at constitutional amendments in a two-year frame

by ANWAR PARVEZ HALIM

If all things go according to government plan, then the national elections are to be held in December this year. The parliamentary polls probably are slated for December 18. The government which is to be ushered in through these polls will be of a one-year or two-year term, in all probability. In other words, this will be a transitional government. This will be much in the lines of Nepal’s Constituent Assembly. There are endeavours in Bangladesh to follow the political formula which saw Nepal through its recent upheavals. Analysts, though, do not quite final the Nepal model compatible to Bangladesh’s ground reality.
Sources say, the sole purpose of the transitional government to be brought to power through the election, is to bring about constitutional amendments. Say certain analysts, “These amendments will not really address the needs of the people. The constitutional will be tailored to meet the requirements of outside forces and address outside interests. The parliament will also undergo change and become a Constituent Assembly, according to sources within the government.
Top policymakers of the government feel that the parliament has had excessive power. The power of the parliament under the new government will be curtailed to an extent. This will be brought about by constitutional amendment. Similarly, a balance of power will be brought about between the President and the Prime Minister. Even the upazila chairmen will have a vote in electing the President. That is why the upazila election is being held before the parliamentary polls.
In the meantime, outside powers will settle certain national issues with the government, issues pertaining to coal, gas, the port, etc. The bottom line is, the interests of these quarters will be met; their control will be ensured.
Sources say, the corporate bodies and their supporting countries will no longer be satisfied with mere signing of contracts; they want guarantee of the goods being delivered. They want long-term assurance that their interests will be upheld in tangible terms in this country. For this they need a government of their bidding.
Observers say that there is very little chance of the December election having the usual festive feel. There is a lack of enthusiasm among the concerned players. It may be a free, fair and credible election, but it will lack in the customary festivity.
There are apprehensions over voter turnout. The absence of known political faces will render the election lack-lustre. A few known faces will hardly make a difference. It will be the new candidates that will become MPs, will become ministers of the new government. So the policymakers are really not all that concerned about who comes to the election or not, which party boycotts it and which party joins in. That is not their headache. International quarters will give this election a certificate for being free, fair and credible.
However, there is ground reality to contend with, things that may not quite fit in with the government’s picture. In Dhaka, diplomats of powerful countries are bluntly stating that it is not possible to hold elections under a state of emergency. They are talking about a lift of emergency and the political parties are voicing the same demand. In that case, if the government does eventually lift emergency, the entire situation may change. The people may then take up the issue of the government’s words not matching its actions. They may accuse the government of not keeping its commitment. The real face of the political parties may re-emerge. All this will pitch the polls back into uncertainty. If things start spiralling out of the control, the present set-up of the caretaker government may also see changes. A new set-up may be installed, but with the same agenda. They will remain focussed on implementing the same formula. The formula has been set in such a manner that everyone is parroting the same words and the new set-up will continue speaking of materialising the goal of 1/11.
After Sheikh Hasina left for the States, the political arena seems to have been covered in a smokescreen. Questions have arisen as to what deal she reached with the government for her release. There is no answer, neither from the government nor from Hasina. Sources in the government state that the transitional government to be installed after the election will stay at the helm for a short stint. Their basic task will be to amend the Constitution. The government reached some sort of understanding with Sheikh Hasina in this regard. Once she agreed to this, she was sent abroad.
Those who had so long been vocal against corruption are now quiet. Sheikh Hasina’s exit from the country has raised ethical questions concerning the war against corruption. A move is on to release Khaleda Zia, Tareque and Koko in the same process. Others will also be released one after the other. This will point to the fact that whatever reforms and success the government may have highlighted over the past two years, they have failed in bringing about political reforms. Their much-touted ‘minus-two formula’ has been a failure. Khaleda and Hasina may not physically be able to contest in the election, but they remain a vital factor in the public mind. Their leadership remains very much in place.
The anti-corruption agenda is now riddled with questions. The Chief Election Commissioner himself has expressed concern, saying that it is not being possible to keep corrupt persons at bay. The general public ask, so what did the government do these past two years? They made such a hullabaloo but the results are nil.
The message which seems to be permeating all through the nation is that the government has reached some sort of understanding with Awami League; that they are going to bring Awami League to power in the future.  The Prime Minister will come from Awami League. And a particular person will be made president. Hasina reportedly came to such an agreement before she left for America. These are the reports that are making the rounds. And this has brought the government’s neutrality under question.
The government is so busy with dialogue that the people’s sufferings seem to be flying over their heads. Even in this season of full harvest, food prices are soaring. Fuel prices have been raised again. People are suffering, finding no recourse anywhere. There is a sense of restlessness everywhere. Politics are in a bad shape. But the government goes on its own course.
An analyst puts it this way: Homemade bread is being supplied to the shops. The producer is not concerned whether the consumers like it or not, whether it is tasty or not. Dr. Fakhruddin’s government is in a similar situation. The government is running the country with its prescription-made politics. Public likes or dislikes don’t feature here. Reforms, election, votes, all things are being handled according to prescription. But the people are a factor, whether foreign factors believe it or not. The government is miles away from the ground reality of the public mindset.
Some analysts ask, how much longer will the government continue serving the purpose of outside quarters? Some say that even 1/11 was made by other quarters. The government is hell bent on implementing the 1/11 formula. But the public is fast losing patience. Once their patience runs out, there is no saying what might happen.
Emergency has ensured silence. But at the slightest opportunity, the situation may change, analysts feel.
The Election Commission is presently busy with the four City Corporation and nine pourashava polls. Then there is the upazila election. This has kept the demand for parliamentary elections under covers, for the time being at least. The political parties are opposing the local government polls, wanting the nation election to be held first. The government isn’t deterring an inch from its plans.
PROBE in past issues has stated that the dialogue is to be held with people of all professions and walks of life in Dhaka and outside of the capital. From these dialogues a Citizen’s Charter will be drawn up. The election will be held accordingly. The government will be formed. Politics as it is known today will disappear from the scene. Known faces of the political arena will make way for new faces. PROBE also spoke of a national security council. The Constitution will be amended to bring about a balance between the prime Minister and President’s powers. The government seems to be headed in that direction.