Turkey, recently, through elections overcame a political crisis that ensued because the Military and the Opposition secular Party, both, blocked the nomination of its Foreign Minister, Abdullah Gul, whose wife wears a headscarf. They felt that country’s secularism was in danger. The ruling Islamist-oriented Justice and Development (AK) Party refuted this claim and also denied that it wants to turn Turkey into an Iranian style theocracy. In the Election campaign Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Eurodan, Turkey’s most popular politician, urged voters to grant him a fresh five-year mandate, “to continue the AK’s record of strong economic growth, rising living standards and falling inflations”. Erodan said “God willing, Turkey is going to be brighter with AK party’s “BULB”(the Election symbol of AK). Results confirmed that the ruling AK party won by a large margin. Voters indicated that they voted for Candidates who emphasized on improving the life of workers, Civil servants and retirees; while others for Candidates who realized the importance of Education and Health system and defend the founder of the Republic, Mustafa Kemal Ataturks’s ideas.

Bangladesh Citizens have an important lesson to learn from this above information.
1. Politicians should learn that ‘Elections’ is the only means to overcome political crisis and that winning it depends on an “Agenda” that raises the hopes of the Citizen for an enriched and secured life.
2. Voters should learn that their votes should be cast in favor of the Candidate who would have the required experience to formulate educational, health, agricultural and other service system that improve the lives of Voters.

Now lets analyze the developments taking place in Bangladesh towards Elections 2008.

The Chief Adviser’s efforts is widely appreciated both at home and abroad for restructuring the Election Commission (EC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for holding a “ Free, Fair and Impartial” Election in December 2008. Media reports states that 10 per cent work on voter list including issue of voter I.D.Card has been completed and that the remaining 90 percent will be completed in good time. The Care Taker Government (CTG) has also declared that Local Government bodies’ elections will be held prior to National Elections. These are positive signs and Citizens are hopeful that Democracy will be re-established.


Why are Voters, then, feeling so non-chalant about this upcoming Election??

My research done over the last month reveals that the Voters don’t feel that environment for Elections are yet very conducive and that for such, to happen in the future, various factors need to be resolved on a priority basis. Lets discuss those point by point: -

First, on the issue of Voters registration, Voters feel that EC needs to clarify:-(A) as to whether they will publish the fully completed Voter List for public scrutiny and how will an eligible Voter, if left out, get registered with ID Card and (B) about the eligibility and registration process for the non-resident Bangladeshis abroad.

Secondly, on the issue of its dialogue with Political Parties, Voters feel that EC needs to clarify, what would be their course of action, if, (1) the dialogues with the Politicians are not fruitful or half fruitful or if (2) both the two major Parties surprises the EC, by insisting that their party chiefs (not yet convicted) be released for a while and be allowed to join the discussion as they are unable to decide for themselves. Voters wonder if the EC Members are prepared to overcome such hurdles??

Thirdly, the ACC has filed cases against the Leaders, the senior politicians, businessmen and bureaucrats affiliated with politics, on various charges of alleged corruption and criminal activities. It is my strong belief that Voters are eagerly waiting to know the final verdicts from the courts against them, especially, of the Leaders of the major parties, because two very different political environments will exist in the country, depending on, either their conviction or innocence.


Fourthly, till date, none of the political Parties could in unison, decide on: - (1) the terms of internal reforms, (2) democratic procedures for selecting their candidature for presenting them to the Voters and finally, (3) their party agenda for development of Bangladesh. The Parties allege that they cannot solve these three points as under SOE political activity is banned. Voters feel that it is important that these three points be resolved at the earliest and therefore the CTG must device some procedures to facilitate the politicians.



In conclusion, I wish to believe that CTG during its ten months experience (January- October 2007) have very well understood that in order to fulfill its commitments and restore the confidence of the Voters it must finalize the above mentioned four points at the earliest. Bangladeshis, at home and abroad including the International Community and Donor countries are looking forward to a successful Election in 2008, leading to transfer of power to the Elected Representatives; and that’s the hallmark to a legitimate Government. Welcome to the land of Democracy.