Editorial
Election at hand
Why take such a confusing stance?
WHEN the pathway to national election seems well laid out, the BNP, a major stakeholder in electoral politics, has chosen to strike a discordant note. BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia in her address to a massive gathering at Chittagong has reiterated her seven-point demand, asserting that unless these were met her party wouldn't take part in the election.
There was clearly a complaining tone to her speech berating a lack of level-playing field, adding that while it is bumpy for BNP it is a 'plain land' for others. She stopped short of specifying though, where it is bumpy for her and it isn't so for others.
Let's take a look at BNP-led alliance's seven-point demand. These include withdrawal of emergency, postponement of upazila polls, scrapping of amended RPO provision relating to EC's power to cancel candidature, release of BNP's jailed leaders, withdrawal of cases against them, etc.
Both the BNP and AL have demanded that emergency be fully lifted to enable them to carry out political activities and electoral campaigns in a completely freed up atmosphere. Already, the government has relaxed certain provisions of EPR and has given to understand that the remainder would be lifted after consultation with the political parties. We support their demand for withdrawal of the emergency well ahead of the election. Now, this can be part of the major political parties' negotiations with the government. Also, we believe, the BNP's demand for withdrawal of EC's power to cancel candidature may be a point for further dialogue with the government.
On the parties' demand that those convicted in lower courts be allowed to contest in the election pending appeal at the higher court, we have to say, none should be blindfolded to the moral implications of the issue. Why don't the parties field them as candidates after they are cleared by the higher court?
It is time they live up to their commitment to and the national expectation for clean politics, good governance and a brighter future for the country. What about new faces, a new spirit and a new beginning on the basis of messages drawn from 1/11?
As for the upazila election schedule, the political parties' principal demand that it shouldn't precede the national poll rather follow it, has been met, so there is little to bargain now.
The election is far too important a matter to be overwhelmed by demands, especially at this advanced stage. The political parties had been vociferously demanding early election, BNP even wanting it in October; and now when barely five weeks are left to the election what impression the clamour of demands is likely to make on the public mind. So, for the good of the country, we urge the BNP to get into the election mode.
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