Dysfunctional Democracy

A writer's recent observation on 'democracy Bangladesh style' is accurate and incisive. In fact, since before liberation of 1971, functional democracy has never been fostered. Think about the election of 1973. Despite undisputed leadership, Bangabandhu was not ready to spare even ten seats for the opposition. Was it only AL that fought the liberation war? And what happened next? First, the parliamentary system was abolished and presidential form of govt introduced. Then in a single stroke all parties were banned and BAKSAL was introduced with gagging the media. What happened during the period of about four years into liberation is history. The atrocities of Rakhi Bahini, Lal Bahini and such other private bahinis rampaged across the country and people know what a hell the country was in. But with all these autocratic measures Bangabandhu could not but lament 'we got 75 million rags; but where is mine one'? He also lamented 'other leaders got gold mines and I got mines of thieves'. So everyone can understand what kind of democracy will run in this unfortunate country. In fact the leadership most needed after such a devastating war was absent right from the beginning. Bangabandhu was a great leader with a lion's heart no doubt but the sternness, prudence and vision to run the administration of a new-born, war-ravaged country were not visible in him. The only thing we must be grateful to him forever is that it was his monumental personality and immense popularity, he made India withdraw her troops from Bangladeshi soil. But the lack of other quality to control, unite and lead a war-ravaged country towards reconstruction and development could not make him a successful statesman. It was he that could put the nation in solid unity but unfortunately he failed to do so and the temptation of hijacking all the credit to the AL alone was the congenital disease that is never to be cured. The symptoms are but what are going on now. It is perhaps our destiny. But may be everything changes with time. The attitude of many Bangabandhu worshippers also might have changed and they have learned to look at a spade as a sade. In fact the system of democracy prevalent in our country in the name of British model Westminister type democracy is just a misnomer. Here one is seen begging votes from door to door today and after being elected we have to beg and beg just to have a glimpse of him, let alone listen to our miseries. This is simply a caricatuyre of democracy. But still so many of our emlightened (?) personalities have been heard to change this top-to-bottom rotten system. How can they expect this type of one day’s democracy would could address our problems? Meanwhile Mr. Mahmudur Rahman Manna has put forward a new idea about a new system of democracy and politics. And Mr. ASMA Rob has also said that the present system of democracy needs to be changed if people’s participation is honestly desired. We do not know if Mr. Manna’s new idea which he wishes to advance with the support of the people. Will he please explain what type of ‘democracy’ will he follow if he goes to power? As a new idea whuch might better fit in our situation, I like to forward the following suggestions: 1. The term of the govt should be of 4 (four) years. 2. The system of election will be as follows: a. There will be no national election of individual candidate. Election will be held on party basis. b. The top bosses of the parties will explain their programs and election manifesto from the same stage (as in the US) to be broadcast on TV, radio and other print media so that common people can know about both the party bosses and their programs. c. The seats of the parliament will be distributed according to the ratio of votes obtained. d. The parties will nominate one or more than one of their local leaders of each constituency who will be elected by the local workers of that party. e. The parties will nominate MPs of a particular constituency winning the local election. f. After one year, a survey on the local MP’s popularity will be conducted by well-reputed and nationally accepted organization and if the MP gets less than 50% support of the local people, the party shall replace that MP with the runner up in the local election. 3. The local govt bodies will be empowered to conduct all the local development work. Revenue willl be collected by the local govt bodies to meet the recurring expenditure and local development projects. 4. There will be no involvement of the political parties in the affairs of the educational institutions. Nor there will be any party leader heading the Managing Committees/Governing Bodies of the schools and collleges. 5. The constitutional bodies like the Judiciary, the PSC, the EC shall be strengthened and must be absolutely free from the intervention of the govt whatsoever. 6. The constitutional provision that says all citizens are equal in the eye of law must be ‘real and meaningful’ and not abstract.