Editorial
Electoral reforms
Complete the dialogue without delay
EC's decision to start the second round of talks on electoral reforms with the political parties is indeed very welcome.
We must admit that there was a creeping apprehension in the minds of the people whether or not the EC would be able to stick to its timetable.
The EC held talks with most of the political parties in the first round except the BNP. It was imprudent, we feel, on the part of the EC to have invited only one faction of the BNP which ultimately led to High Court litigations, stalling the dialogue itself. Both the groups should have been invited, in all fairness.
There are several core issues like registration of the parties, the political parties retaining their student wings in the educational institutions and labour wings in the industries, and of course the issue of the parties having overseas wings. We feel that these must be duly addressed as part of setting the electoral process right. The goal has to be achieved through a comprehensive dialogue with all the major stakeholders in politics.
The issue of party registration must be ironed out with all the key political parties. But, above all, it has to be ensured that the honest and decent candidates are particularly encouraged to enter the fray.
The question that we would like to ask is why the talks were not held earlier. If the pending HC case regarding the BNP factional issue was the reason, the EC is now willing to go ahead with the reform talks regardless of the hearing and verdict on the matter, leaving the BNP talk for a later date. Had this position been taken earlier, it would have saved much precious time.
The EC is well behind its declared schedule of completing dialogue with the political parties by three months. Not only must the dialogue be held without further delay, the EC must keep in mind the importance of getting all the key political parties on board for bringing about electoral reforms. For one thing, ownership of the reforms will guarantee their quick implementation.
Let there be no doubt in anyone's mind regarding the imperative of electoral reform. Without it election will be meaningless and the character of politics will remain unchanged a situation that no one in Bangladesh would like to see prevail.
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