Editorial
So far, a job well done
Armed forces deserve commendation for professionalism and competence over National ID and voter list
THE Chief Advisor's call to the armed forces to discharge their election duties with total neutrality and transparency is timely and necessary. So far, the armed forces have done a creditable job of ensuring that a proper election takes place, which was earlier rendered totally impossible with a partisan EC and voter list that contained the names of 13 million false voters.
We note with satisfaction that for all the record of the military in the past --- coups, counter-coups, assassinations --- the forces have this time round clearly understood and shared the aspirations of all citizens towards building a political edifice that will ensure stronger and more accountable democratic politics. It is against this background that we today expect, along with the Chief Advisor, our armed forces to put a proper finishing touch to the tasks they set out to do when they decided to back the emergency and the resultant caretaker government in its programme of giving the nation a credible election.
We realise, even as we expect the armed forces to carry out their last leg of duty to ensure a free, fair election, that there have been some missteps taken along the way. The minus two theory relating to the chiefs of the two major political parties, attempting to break up established political parties and setting up new ones, etc., did not earn the military any credit. Its handling of the Dhaka University incident, which started well, ended disastrously especially with the arrest, internment and treatment of some teachers. Besides, there have been reports of corrupt dealings indulged in by members of the armed forces at the lower rungs of the hierarchy. We can also mention the destruction of village bazaars in the initial stage, an act that dealt a heavy blow to the rural market place.
This newspaper believes, though, that by and large the military has done a creditable job so far, especially in areas like the preparation of a credible voter list, streamlining the overall roadmap for a return to pluralistic government, etc. We also commend them for their role during Sidr and the two floods and that of the BDR in the face of an abnormal price rise and shortage of essentials. Our faith about the commitment of the armed forces and their senior officers has been vindicated. In this regard, we particularly commend the role of the army chief of staff, General Mueen U. Ahmed, who from day one committed the armed forces to ensuring a transition to democracy through a credible election and has lived up to public expectations.
These remaining few days before the elections are crucial. We expect the armed forces to demonstrate the same degree of high professionalism, political impartiality and respect for democracy they have shown in the past nearly two years. Through helping the election process and creating an environment where all voters can exercise their right of franchise without fear, the armed forces can perform their last act of helping to put in place a truly representative government and thereby earn the gratitude of the nation.
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