Code of conduct for MPs
THE statistics recently revealed by the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on functioning of ninth parliament are quite frustrating. It is an unfortunate reality that MPs do not attend the session in time and, as a result, around Tk.5.42 crore from the national exchequer was wasted during the first session of the ninth parliament due to quorum crisis.
According to TIB's Parliament Watch 2009 report, an amount of Tk.35,000 per minute is spent for running a parliament session, and the quorum crisis -- lasting for a total of 25 hours and 48 minutes -- caused misuse of Tk5,41,80,000.
TIB, which keeps tabs on the working of parliaments in emerging democracies, has come up with a set of recommendations, including the ones for formulating a code of conduct for MPs and measures to strengthen the committee system to make parliament effective. It also shed light on some issues deemed important for developing parliamentary culture, including a few drawbacks of the inaugural session like the MPs tendency to praise their party's top leader, lack of tolerance for political opponents, discussion on irrelevant issues, absence of oppositions and limited flow of information on parliamentary proceedings.
The main opposition, BNP, and its key ally Jamaat-e-Islami have been boycotting parliament without any convincing reason. Ignoring their electoral pledges, both BNP and Jamaat MPs remained absent from the current budget session, thereby missing the opportunity of reviewing the government's fiscal policy.
In the inaugural session of the ninth parliament, the opposition MPs joined on only 21 working days out of 39, while the opposition leader Khaleda Zia attended only three sittings. Even the ruling Awami League (AL), which promised to take all-out measures to make the parliament effective, is yet to come out with an appropriate step to ensure the opposition's return to parliament.
It was a good signal for parliamentary democracy when the prime minister and the leader of the house, Sheikh Hasina, on more than one occasion since her party's resounding victory in December 29 polls, said that her government would not only listen to the views of the opposition but would also work with them to lead the country to prosperity. She also pledged to offer the post of deputy speaker to the opposition to make the parliament effective.
TIB is also pressing for amendment of the constitution to re-fix the maximum duration of absence from the house from 90 consecutive days to 30 days for cancellation of membership in parliament in order to bring an end to the pervasive culture of boycotting parliament sessions. There are also reasons to support TIB's suggestion that remuneration should not be given to those MPs who remain absent from an entire session.
Setting up of an Institute of Parliamentary Studies, for which a law was enacted in 2001, is a paramount need for providing training to the MPs to make them more capable, responsible and accountable in performing their parliamentary duties. MPs, particularly the fresh ones, must receive proper training to be aware of their responsibilities to their constituents and for quality deliberation in parliament.
A code of conduct for the MPs is deemed necessary as many of them lack the political savvy needed for the post. In the absence of a parliamentary ethics committee to monitor the conduct of the MPs many of them behave irresponsibly, not only tarnishing their own image but also putting their colleagues to shame.
The quality of democracy prevailing in a country is ultimately judged on the performance of its parliament, and sophisticated parliamentary practice requires showing accommodative attitude and respect for the opponents' views. The ruling party members, therefore, should bear in mind that it is their political responsibility to allow the opposition to voice their views and also to be accommodating to their views, as the opposition is a crucial component of the parliament.
The history of our national parliament has sadly been a story of dashed hopes and aspirations during all the years since democracy was restored in 1991. But this time people were quite enthusiastic because of the attitude shown earlier by leaders of both the treasury bench and the opposition regarding their parliamentary performance. Now the responsibility lies squarely with both the leaders to make the parliament effective.
Parliament, the heart of democracy, must function properly for making laws reflecting the changed situation and times to materialise the democratic dreams of the people. The nation's aspiration for the efficacy of parliament will remain a mirage unless both the ruling and the opposition leaders have national interest above their political agenda, and ignore their narrow partisan and personal interests.
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