‘The worst is yet to come’

Former Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hossain yesterday expressed concerns about the US visa restriction on Bangladesh, fearing that the worst is yet to come.

Speaking at a book launch event at Dhaka University, he cautioned, "I hope politicians, intellectuals, and others understand that we are in deep trouble. Visa restriction is not the end, and some big problems are waiting for us in the future."

Gronthik Prokashon organised the launching event of local government expert Prof Tofail Ahmed's book "Sangskar Sanglap"(dialogue on reform).

Sakhawat said the US visa restriction resulted from Bangladesh's inability to conduct credible elections. "It is not a very good sign for us,"he said.

He made the comments a day after the US Department of State had said it is already taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangladeshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.

Sakhawat said many talk about reforming the country's administration, state and other institutions, but politicians pay no attention to it.

Speaking at the event, former Justice MA Matin emphasised the need for dialogues for reform. "We need to change the winner-take-all system," he added.

The book's author Tofail Ahmed said, "People of the country want good governance. But can we achieve that is not being discussed. I have tried to focus on that in my book along with how to reform the state."

Prof Mobasser Monem of Dhaka University's public administration department said many are skeptical about the ability of the current  Election Commission. He also observed that democratic institutions have nearly lost their functionality.

Sharmeen Murshid, chief executive officer of the election observation group "Brotee", said although the state needs reformation, the term "reform" is not popular in the country.

Socialist Party of Bangladesh assistant general secretary Razequzzaman Ratan said not ordinary people, but money, muscle, police and administration play a determining factor in the country's election.

Among others, former secretary Abu Alam Md Shahid Khan, Rastro Sanagaskar Andolan chief coordinator Hasnat Quaiyum, Gronthik Prokashon publisher Rajjak Rubel spoke at the event.