Tue 6 May 2008
As the promised elections draw nearer, speculation about future political alignments continues to mount. Some ask: Will we see a gradual return to one-person rule over political parties? Will the parliament be able to actually represent the people? Will the creation of new institutions simplify or complicate politics? And many wonder: What will help avoid a future political crisis like the one that precipitated 1/11? These questions often lead to discussions about the need for more checks and balances to the executive power. In order to move away from the unchecked power of the premiership, agreement between the political parties must be achieved in the upcoming dialogue. This article discusses various options, some feasible within the current constitution, and others that require constitutional amendments, to bring about a much-needed balance of power. More
May 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
EU saying that if BNP and Awani League’s boycott of the election will still be acceptable for a credible election. This must be music to President Moeen’s and Prime Minister Brigadier (retd! obviously) Amin’s ears. Shaik Seraj of channel I is also dancing along with Mafuz Anam (journalism without fear and favor doesn’t get you close to Moeen). We will be voting for the Army party this December. A blueprint election …. the glorious result after 2 years of an army coup.
May 15th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I think Two issues need special attention:
1) Introduction of a system of checks and balance must not be held back before the elections, due to fear of instability and confrontation, because if appropriate reforms are not made now, then there will be potentially more instability after a new government has been elected.
2) It will be too much wishful thinking if we presume that politicians (of all levels from peon to PM) will willfully inflict upon themselves a superior power which will check their authorities, and balance their powers for them! No formal conversation or dialogue, before elections, can guarantee that politicians will have a “mindset that is democratic” after the elections. That will be like asking criminals to have a lawful mindset, and create their own legal system to control themselves, so to speak.
Therefore, all division of power and checks and balance systems MUST be set up before the elections, not after.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:31 am
[...] reforms that are much better than National Security Council or a more powerful presidency (see here). That piece, and another calling for a dialogue between key stakeholders and a national accord (a [...]