Ali Imam Majumder

Ali Imam Majumder, a former cabinet secretary, said the Awami League's manifesto reflected the development works carried out by its government in the last 10 years.

"They said they would learn lessons from the past mistakes and if they do it for real, the nation will benefit," he said.

Ali Imam was critical about the ruling party's role against the opposition parties, saying it did not allow any political space to the opposition in the last 10 years, not even during the elections.

About the BNP's manifesto, he said the rosy words it had mentioned did not match their past history.

"They are promising to bring balance of power between the president and the prime minister, but unfortunately the party's power centres around only one person," he said.

That's why there is still apprehension about its sincerity to fulfil the pledges, he said.

He hoped that the party would be more sincere to materialise the promises, if voted to power.

Syed Manzoorul Islam

Noted writer and columnist Syed Manzoorul Islam said, "The Awami League's manifesto is practical and detailed. They prepared it keeping in mind what they have done and what they can do. It does not reflect many of the popular aspects like digital security act."

“The BNP is not in power, so it is easy for them to make an attractive manifesto. They did it as they touched upon the interests of all the quarters. The BNP's manifesto is very ambitious. The proposals are more attractive but absolutely lacking the strategic details,” he said.

Manzoorul, a retired Dhaka University professor, however, said the manifesto was meaningless if the proposals were not implementable.

Prof Hasanuzzaman

Prof Al Masud Hasanuzzaman, a teacher at Jahangirnagar University, said the AL's manifesto focuses mostly on development and its pledges to continue the development works.

On the other hand, the BNP focuses on democracy and the rule of law and there are some surprises in the manifesto, he said.

The challenge for the AL is to establish good governance in the country as it has promised. If good governance is ensured, democracy and development will also be ensured, he added.

On the contrary, it is challenging for the BNP to meet many of its promises -- especially in cases where constitutional amendment is required.

To implement those pledges, it will require a two-thirds majority in parliament.

DR Iftekharuzzaman

Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of the Transparency International Bangladesh, said the AL president's call to consider her party's failures with a forgiving attitude may be viewed as refreshing, especially in a culture where political leaders are not known to acknowledge mistakes.

"This is important because she has also promised to learn from mistakes if she is given a mandate to move on. One would wish her Godspeed as her party takes the challenge of being truthful to this commitment," he said.

He also said the party's commitment to ensure inclusive development was extremely important and raised hopes. The proponents of such a commitment are however expected to realise that inclusive development is impossible in a situation where people's voice and demand raising potentials are restricted by curtailing free media, freedom of speech and opinion, and right to assembly.

"Therefore, if truthful to this commitment, they must also pledge to amend the laws like Digital Security Act and refrain from all types of actions against free media and freedom of speech that are sine qua non for inclusive growth."

Equally important is the commitment for zero tolerance to corruption which was also reflected in AL's earlier manifestos, he said.

Iftekharuzzaman said it would take quite an effort to faithfully deliver on this pledge. The key to it would be the courage and capacity to punish the corrupt without fear or favour and depoliticise the key institutions of accountability which had been converted into monopolised territories of the ruling party.

These include the bureaucracy, law enforcement agencies, judiciary, anti-corruption commission and not least the parliament itself, he said, adding, "If these institutions are not allowed to operate in public interest, independently, transparently and with professional integrity, the talk about zero tolerance for corruption will remain a paper tiger."

The Awami League will expedite institutionalising democracy and strengthen the National Human Rights Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the mass media and the judiciary if voted to power for a third straight time.

"In the last 10 years, parliament was the centre of all state functions…. Initiatives will be taken to make the House more effective," said AL chief Sheikh Hasina, unveiling her party's election manifesto at a city hotel yesterday.

With some significant promises to ensure good governance made before the last two parliamentary elections still remaining on paper, the ruling party has now come up with fresh pledges to improve governance.

In its 21-point pledge, the AL also vows to show zero tolerance for corruption, make a stronger electoral system through reforms, alleviate poverty, create employments, ensure service-oriented and accountable administration, and put more focus on infrastructure development.

Just 11 days before the 11th parliamentary election, Hasina made an impassioned appeal to voters to view the mistakes she and her party colleagues made since taking office in 2009 with “kindness” and elect her party yet again.

"To err is human. My colleagues and I might have made mistakes while performing our duties. I, on behalf of myself and my party, fervently request the countrymen to look kindly on our mistakes," she told the programme attended by her party leaders, businesspersons, dignitaries and foreign diplomats.

"I promise to build a more beautiful future by learning from the past. We will build a non-communal golden Bangladesh free from hunger, poverty and illiteracy as cherished by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," she said.

Making an earnest request to the people to ensure AL's victory through a "ballot revolution", Hasina said, "Cast your vote for 'boat'. We will bring you development and prosperity…. Our victory is certain, God willing."

NEW PROMISES

The 2018 manifesto titled “Bangladesh on March towards Prosperity” focuses on 33 sectors to be dealt with two strategic plans -- the SDG and Delta Plan 2100.

The party eyes to increase the GDP growth to 10 percent from 7.8 percent at the moment in the next five years and bring down poverty rate to zero from about 22 percent now by 2041.

It will create jobs for 1.28 crore youths, with overseas jobs for 1,000 youths -- both male and female -- from each upazila, according to the manifesto.

Pointing to recent protest for safer roads, Hasina vowed to bring discipline in Dhaka's transport sector.

“If elected, we will introduce modern bus services to curb indiscipline in Dhaka's mass transport service,” she said. 

Also, modern civic amenities will be made available in every village, she added.

A national minority commission will be constituted to address issues related to ethnic groups, religious minorities and backward communities.

The manifesto also pledges to ensure media freedom and free flow of information.

"Effective measures will be taken to stop spread of fake news and unexpected rumours. Journalism and news media that promote social responsibilities will get assistance [from the government].

"A media friendly law will be formulated. There will be no misuse of any law against journalists and the mass media," Hasina said.

WHAT ABOUT PAST PROMISES?

In her address, the AL chief said the manifesto for the next parliamentary polls was in fact a continuation of her party's long-term plans outlined in the 2008 and 2014 manifestos.

However, after its 2008 win, the AL did not deliver on some of its vital pledges.

Before the election, it had pledged to appoint an Ombudsman, make public the wealth statements and sources of income of the prime minister, ministers and their close relatives every year. It also pledged to stop extra-judicial killings. But all of the pledges are unfulfilled.

Its pledge to take steps to inculcate tolerance and decency in politics also remains on paper to this day.

The AL also did not deliver on its 2008 promise to keep 100 parliamentary seats reserved for women with the provision for direct election.

In the run up to the 2014 election, the AL was silent on issues such as extra-judicial killings, the appointment of an Ombudsman and disclosure of wealth statements.

But it had pledged to make efforts to build national consensus among political parties and professionals on fundamental issues such as upholding democracy and unhindered development. But no such effort has been made.

Its pledge to make necessary laws and rules to ensure transparency in the performance of MPs in and outside parliament and their accountability to the people also remain unfulfilled.

Like in the past, the party in 2014 also spoke of taking measures to make parliament effective and strengthen institutions.

It also promised to strengthen the Election Commission by developing a strong electoral system through reforms.

But the current EC is finding it difficult to ensure a level playing field for the candidates in the December 30 polls.