Editorial
AL's wise decision
It unlocks a whole range of possibilities
We welcome the Awami League's (AL) decision to take part in the upcoming election for city corporations and nine municipalities on August 4. If not anything else this reflects the party's inner strength of sagacity to recognise ground reality, the pro-election sentiment of the people, and strategise its policy accordingly. What is laudable is that the decision has come after a two-day meeting of the AL Central Working Committee where the highest-level policy makers had deliberated on the pros and cons and finally opted in favour of election. The interest of democracy, peace and stability of the country were the factors behind the decision, asserted the AL acting president Zillur Rahman.
We believe taking a decision through consultation among policy makers is exactly what a democratic political party should do instead of remaining unbending in its stance on an important issue. The country no doubt is standing at the crossroads today and perceptive steps are what we expect from seasoned politicians. On that note, the AL's decision to take part in elections on August 4 speaks of its maturity as a political party and its commitment to upholding the electoral process.
While we would like to see the AL taking necessary preparations to warm up for the upcoming elections, we would like to voice our appeal to the party policy makers to reject black money and muscle power and to that end stand guard against criminally minded people from taking part in the polls. Therefore, let this purging begin from their party thereby setting an example for others to emulate. We believe such an invigorating move would usher in a new political culture in the country that would be hailed by all quarters.
Suspicions regarding holding of free and fair elections still hang in the air. Therefore, the onus of removing any such suspicion through creating an enabling environment now rests with both the government and the Election Commission. The EC, on its part, should take it as a test case and work its way through to successfully organising the national elections. It is also a test case for the political parties to encourage right kind of candidates and cooperate with the EC and the government for peaceful passage of the election.
The spontaneous participation in the city corporation and municipality polls and its success will lay a strong foundation and foster a congenial environment for all the future elections.
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