Impolitic and undemocratic

MUCH that we are opposed in principle to any restriction on political parties' right to assemble, demonstrate and hold rallies, it is the timing of the DMP's imposition of a ban on all demonstrations and rallies 'until further orders' that we find patently condemnable.
The PM in her address to the nation only on Friday sounded conciliatory outlining an offer to the opposition to end the nagging political stalemate but on the very next day a wholesale restriction was slapped on opposition's scheduled programmes.
It has been ill-advised, impolitic and not to mention thoroughly self-defeating. The snappy move allowed no time for deliberation and germination of ideas on the PM's offer for an all-party interim government to oversee the general election. Furthermore, it called into question the ruling party's sincerity. Whereas the post-speech situation required a careful nurture of an environment congenial to confidence building leading to a meaningful engagement for a conclusive result to end impasse, a contradictory signal has been put across the political landscape.
Yet, we would like to believe that not all is lost. Thankfully, the restriction on professionals' convention was lifted by the DMP in time for the opposition leader to preside over it. Now, the ban on pursuit of political programmes by the opposition should be completely lifted to test their part of the obligations. The window of opportunity for talks should be reopened and made good use of, thick and fast.