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Debate
“Against the Islamists, peace is impossible in Somalia”
Comments: Authoritarian and democratic instincts in Bangladesh
Comments: Closing the development gap
02/2007 |
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Authoritarian and democratic instincts
January was a turbulent month for Bangladesh. A state of emergency was declared, a caretaker government appointed with military backing, and a general election, which had been scheduled for 22 January, postponed indefinitely. Nonetheless, to many Bangladeshis, the hope for a democratic future seems brighter now than it did before.
[ By Maskwaith Ahsan ]
From 2001 to 2006, a coalition government dominated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ran the country. As demanded by the constitution, it handed over power to President Iajuddin Ahmed at the end of its parliamentary term in October. The president was supposed to appoint a non-partisan caretaker government, in order to safeguard fair elections. However, the major parties could not agree on who should head that government, and President Ahmed assumed that role himself.
He owes his position as head of the state to the BNP. Therefore the opposition’s Grand Alliance, a coalition of more than a dozen parties led by the Awami League, only skeptically accepted him assuming an additional constitutional responsibility. The opposition raised demands to ensure a level playing field for the election. Reluctantly, the president took some steps, but they left a lot to be desired. While the chief election commissioner M. A. Aziz was indeed sent on forced leave, the commission itself was not reformed, even though its unbiasedness was in doubt. Meanwhile, the BNP seemed more confident of winning the election each passing day.
Internationally, Bangladesh has a reputation of poor governance. It has repeatedly topped Transparency International’s list of the world’s most corrupt countries. As far as the scheduled election was concerned, observers complained of rigged voter-lists. Moneyed, but not necessarily legitimate elites were intimidating voters, and various interest groups were displaying sheer muscle power with similar intentions. A fair election looked increasingly unlikely.
Nonetheless, foreign negotiators convinced the Grand Alliance to take part in the polls. After two former presidents – H.M. Ershad and B. Chowdhury – had joined it, it seemed to have a fair chance of winning. Tension escalated, however, when the election commission rejected Ershad’s nomination on grounds of an earlier conviction on corruption charges, which, however, had also been contested. Next, the Grand Alliance decided to boycott the elections. In spite of nation-wide protests and strikes, the president insisted that elections be held as scheduled. On 11 January he declared a state of emergency. He apparently hoped the army would enforce his will and re-establish law and order.
But the generals were not prepared to become responsible for illegitimate repression and ensuing chaos. International pressure was mounting, with foreign election observers threatening to leave Bangladesh. As Bangladeshi troops are involved in various UN peace missions today, the army leadership has become quite interested in the country’s reputation abroad. Without their armed support, Iajuddin Ahmed had to resign as head of the caretaker administration.
A new caretaker government was sworn in, headed by Fakhruddin Ahmed, a former central-bank governor and World Bank economist. He has pledged to hold fair and free general elections as soon as possible. His first measures taken aim at reforming the election commission, correcting voter-lists, preparing voter- identity cards and neutralising the highly politicised civil service. Two major breakthroughs have already been achieved – the separation of the judiciary from the executive and the reconstitution of the anti-corruption commission, a body that, so far, had proved completely inadequate.
Today, the BNP is hiding its disappointment behind calls for early elections, whereas the Awami League considers recent events a symbol of victory. The state of emergency prevails, but Fakhruddin Ahmed has vowed to uphold human rights and press freedom, while purging and reshuffling the civil service.
Some interest groups are raising concerns about the intention of the new caretaker government. Will it prolong its rule in the name of reforms? Skepticism remains, but it’s too early for conclusions. The people of Bangladesh, so far, appear impressed with the present catharsis, and look forward to electing a government of their choice.
Maskwaith Ahsan
works for the Bengali Service of Deutsche Welle Radio, Germany’s Bonn-based international broadcaster.
maskwaith@gmail.com
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