Some thoughts on the recently formed Citizens' Group

It is heartening to see some members from the highest socio-economic class in society of our country to take initiative to bring about changes in the election of public office mainly in the national parliament. This group was formed on March 20, 2006 in the capital, a 24-member citizen's group headed by the CPD chairman Professor Rehman Sobhan with a vision to launch a campaign for honest and competent candidates for the coming general elections was put forth to the citizens. The motives are indeed noble and though belatedly hold out hopes for millions of poor masses of this country that they may one day find their lots have changed to that with effective administration both in public and private sectors. This change has to come about in the transparency of the management of schemes in both the sectors as well.

The debate and prescriptions offered by the civil society sounds good. One would naturally ask if such recommendations given by such societies have actually worked and incorporated in the previous parliaments. If we go by the history of our country and for that matter many other countries of the world all such efforts helped the segment of the upper and elite class taking over power.

Unfortunately, the elite politician faction created through this process is unscrupulous, corrupt, and insensitive to the causes of the poor as the corrupt administrators of this country at this time or as was in the past. Regrettably this division of the people have historically behaved exactly in the same fashion whether thick layered civil servant, professional or wealthy entrepreneurs in as much as they are all selfish, totally controlled by their ambition to do good for themselves, their families and friends to share the acquired wealth through commission manipulation and contracts.

It is about time the civil society probe deeper and set priorities right. Why are only a few chosen their members? How can they determine that a honest person is the best solution to improve and make the parliament workable?

There are other factors to be taken into consideration. The entire electoral process has to change. The office of the election commission is always in question, choice of candidates for this office has to come from all parties and only neutral persons with integrity be appointed to serve us best at the time of election and after. The society cannot act alone but need the participation from the districts, of prominent, professional and citizens representation and many others to brain storm and devise a workable system for the forth coming general elections. They need to interact with the election commission and make sure it works independently.

This is the time to do something, pages after pages propagated in vernacular news paper which has more circulation in the rural locations in Bangladesh and the electronic media can create this awareness to form pressure groups as 80% of the voters are in the villages. Somehow people like ourselves hardly mention their contribution in actual economy.

We have to think of our farmers and factory workers who have made Bangladesh "shining" for the wealthy entrepreneurs, we cannot miss out on our laborious migrant brothers on whose dollars the Central Bank reserves breathe. We have to motivate ourselves to respect them and assist to improve their conditions. Poverty alleviation is the sincere concerted endeavor of all parties and citizens. In the last one decade private sector has assisted in poverty alleviation in their support in certain sectors.

It upsets me when we discuss of improving their lot and NGOs are the only fore runners doing so. The private and public sector are gradually contributing to eradicate poverty by creating opportunities in private enterprises. We have come out of Mr Henry Kissinger's "basket case" and very soon I hope we can come out of this if only the electoral process is reformed by having good people who are accountable to the citizens. Transparency in this will bring about all changes in the prescriptions.

If elections are free, fair with honest people, and the election commission autonomous, the citizens vigilant, Bangladesh can take advantage of globalization and face challenges competently.

Each party has aspiring candidates who are already lobbying for them selves in the own constituencies or have expressed their willingness to contest the National Election to their party stalwarts. The parties can start collecting data of these persons, right from their family history to the present standing, most notably their acceptance to the common men and women. This archival finding and acceptance can well eliminate many confusion as regards a "honest candidate" within the parties. The parties have to act responsibly this time.

All attempts should be made to make public awareness of the deprivation of the wealth created by the sweats of the work force. Privileged section of the mass should be aware, it is about time they learn how to share. Recently an eminent and incumbent economist of the civil society suggested that the deprived majority own major shares in mills and factories.

I do understand how frustrated he feels that the poor are becoming poorer and the wealthy not prepared to sense the cynicism based on rampant graft and mismanagement in governance but of course sharing equity through bonuses, profits and medical benefits with the workers in all private enterprises, factories and in the agriculture can help create equity amongst the work force and better their condition.

The widening gap between the rural poor and the urban rich is a dangerous signal to undo the democratic practices that could lead to ambitions in other form of governance. There is a common belief that governments function best when they are accountable and honest people elected to govern and there is trust between the citizens and the politicians. If this trust is violated much is at stake.

It is a great thought to influence nomination process and get honest, educated and well meaning people elected who cherish the desire of public service for the sake of doing good to common men as opposed to advancing self interest. But under the present structure of the society and the thoughts that crossed the minds of some well meaning people can we really achieve anything meaningful that will add to the good of the common men? More importantly we can start creating this awareness how to be humane and share social responsibility of our citizens seriously.

In of my article, published in New Age of March 2, I mentioned "power sharing" within the political parties and citizens. Public awareness of this concept and developing a mechanism for achieving this goal is worth considering.

I am very pleased to note that in The Daily Star of April 1 is mention of what I said in my article of equal representation of party members in dialogue on electoral reform. It will be to the best interest of BNP to listen to its citizens and rid itself of corrupt practices and for the opposition to take the lessons never to commit the same as that of the ruling party.