Editorial
Reform in political parties
The signs are encouraging but still inadequate
THERE are some visible signs of reform in the political parties which, however faint, do suggest that the parties have begun to feel that they have to change the old order that had little room for collective thinking, let alone decision making. It is indeed a welcome development, though any conclusion might be premature at this point of time, when the parties are undergoing a process of reorganising and regrouping.
The focus is on the big two, by far the biggest stakeholders. The Awami League has no doubt chosen the line of going boldly forward with reforms by adopting a series of measures that are expected to change the way the party works, if not overhaul it. The most notable among them is the plan to pick up candidates from panels elected by grassroots level committees. It will devolve the authority of nominating the candidates from the top leadership to the field level.
For its part, the BNP, which has not gone that far but has certainly felt that they, too, need to adjust themselves to the changed circumstances. The party's quest for "right" candidates to be found out by a team of researchers echoes a sentiment popularised by civil society and the media that only the honest and competent people should be nominated by the major parties. It might not sound like a breakthrough, but it is definitely a departure from the practice of attaching value to only money and muscle, something highly repugnant to democracy and good governance.
The Jamaat, the least likely outfit to show any amount of flexibility, is also contemplating amendment to its constitution to ensure that it does not contradict the basic tenets of the country's constitution. This might well provide food for thought to other religion-based parties.
The developments are a kind of acknowledgement of the civil society's avowed position that there cannot be any substitute for honest and educated candidates in the election. It is commendable that the parties are at long last listening to the counseling, which once was sadly interpreted as the civil society's overstepping the limits.
If they realise, belatedly though, that people want to see only honest and competent candidates seeking election, it will serve not only the parties but also the cause of good governance. The plain truth needs no more elaboration.
But it must be mentioned that their reluctance to reform in some major areas leaves us disappointed. Their refusal to de-link their student, labour and professional fronts renders the reform process half-baked, especially the issue of party wings in foreign countries. To the best of our knowledge, political parties from neither Pakistan, nor India, nor Sri Lanka have party wings abroad.
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