The final set of recommendations gleaned from as many as 54 discussions and dialogues held throughout the country, where a mid-term vision paper for Bangladesh in 2021 and a draft ordinance for bringing necessary amendments to the Representation of People's Order (RPO) were formally handed over to two key leaders of BNP and AL.

The two leaders from the two sides of the political division, BNP secretary general Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan and AL general secretary Abdul Jalil, who were the special guests at the function, agreed with the set of recommendations for bringing reforms in the polls and politics and also expressed similar views on curbing the influence of black money, corruption and terrorism in the poll process. Akbar Ali Khan, former adviser of the caretaker government, said that reforming the political parties is one of the most important changes required to realize some of the vision's goals.

This joint initiative by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and Channel i has generated enormous interest among the conscious citizens. The message that the forum tries to convey parallels with the people's expectations from the political parties and Parliament, but sadly, the structure of this committee has been viewed with suspicion by the main political parties terming it as the meddling of civil society in politics.

The pamphlet published by the CPD on the occasion of the Nagorik Forum's function held on December 9, contained as many as 72 recommendations on poll and political reforms. These recommendations are gleaned from the regional citizens' dialogues held between March 20 and December 9 across the country. Nearly 7,000 people participated in these dialogues and 1,300, who truly represented people from all strata of society, openly expressed their views on political issues.

Among the recommendations, mandatory audit of the political party's accounts, introduction of an electoral college for electing the president, prohibition on contesting from more than two constituencies, restriction in leading a political party for three consecutive terms, no provision for the same person to head the government and a political party, electing a prime minister from the majority party, speaker from the second majority and the deputy speaker from the third majority party are outstanding, and demand serious consideration by the policy makers both in political parties and government.

The Nagorik Committee has tried to create pressure on the major political parties to nominate clean and competent candidates in the upcoming election. BNP has already begun interviewing candidates for nomination and AL is yet to start. The Nagorik Committee should now take this opportunity to create pressure on the political parties to nominate honest and competent candidates. Otherwise, inducting honest and capable men into Parliament will remain a far cry.

Politics in Bangladesh is characterized by enormous odds. Politics of gaining power and plunder has destroyed all its intrinsic qualities. It has now turned into a dirty game that cannot be played without money and muscle. The nexus between crime and politics has given a boost to criminality. This particular political culture has engulfed the whole nation, making lives utterly miserable.

In the process of the elections becoming a game of black money and hooliganism, the Nagorik Committee, as we know it today, emerged with a vision for future Bangladesh, raising new hopes. The elections so far brought in a system that lacked competence, was unaccountable, and utterly failed to meet the people's demands and aspirations. However, the entire nation now looks forward to a free and fair election with honest and competent candidates.

The Nagorik Committee really deserves applause for being successful in creating a sort of psychological resistance among the conscious people against the entry of corrupt elements in politics. It has also done well in shaping a realistic vision for Bangladesh in 2021 and has come up with a comprehensive set of recommendations for the policy makers that both the government and the political parties can implement.

It is quite heartening that no less than the general secretaries of the two major parties have agreed with the set of recommendations of the Nagorik Committee. AL general secretary instantly assured that his party manifesto would reflect most of these recommendations. We earnestly expect that BNP will also act on these recommendations. The Nagorik Committee should act as a watchdog while advocating the candidature of honest and competent individuals.

There are lots of examples of civil society playing a vital role in restoring democracy. Prominent examples include the National Citizens' Movement for Free Election in Philippines that forced Marcos out of power. Civil society again succeeded in its campaign to oust Joseph Estrada for corruption. Very recently, civil society in Nepal played an active role in the democratic upsurge against the feudal monarchy. We certainly wish civil society in Bangladesh is able to play its due role to change politics for the well-being of the people.

ANM Nurul Haque is a Daily Star columnist.