THE success of democracy depends on various factors. Education is perhaps number one on the list. Then comes human rights. This would include freedom of expression, right to information, tolerance for each other's philosophies, and rule of law. All these factors have to come together to bring success to democracy. Having an elected parliament and a cabinet does not mean democracy. Democracy has to be established at every level. It is not possible to discuss and solve all problems in a national assembly or parliament. Some of them must be dealt with at local level. This is what we call "local government." Besides, the essence of democracy cannot be practised by those who do not follow democratic principles within their own parties. The civil service is not the government. In a democratic society, the government is elected by the people (government of the people, by the people, for the people), and the civil service provides support and assistance to the government in the implementation of policies. The civil servants at local levels must provide service to local governments in the same way that the Bangladesh Secretariat at Dhaka provides the support service to the national government. In this article we shall discuss two issues -- democracy within political parties and democracy at local government level. The events of 1/11 have taught us a lot. We do not want to go back there. God has given us an opportunity and we must make best use of it. We must achieve fundamental changes and put democracy on track so that it does not get derailed again. First, let us talk about reform in political parties. We do not want political parties to be headed by hereditary leaders. Let not political parties be used as family property.We should soon have an ordinance, perhaps under the title "Democratic Reform Ordinance" or "Electoral Reform Ordinance," specifying the requirements for registration of political parties with the Election Commission. The ordinance must also outline the principles on which political parties should be based. In other words, the parties must base their own constitutions on democratic principles. The parties must be identified on a national basis and not as regional parties, and must be secular in nature. They must have provisions in their constitution that they shall not maintain or support student wings, and shall never instigate violence for achieving political objectives. The parties must remain committed to resolving all matters through democratic means. Finally, they must also spell out as to who can or cannot contest an election. Any criminal record should automatically disqualify a person, and the person must also meet some minimum criteria in respect of age, education, etc.The first stage of dialogue between the political parties, the government and the Election Commission should take place immediately to decide on a frame-work for such an ordinance. This must be completed by the end of March 2008. The ordinance should then be promulgated by April 2008. The political parties that intend to participate in the forthcoming election must complete their constitutions by June 2008. They should then have their own elections in accordance with their constitutions by August 2008. The registration of the political parties with the Election Commission (after notifying the Commission of their constitutions and elections) and allocation of their election symbols should be completed by September 2008. There will be enough time for political campaign for more than two months. The lection should be held by the second week of December 2008. The president should invite the leader of the wining party to form a government by the third week of December 2008 and call the parliament into session at the same time. The parliament should consider turning the provisions of the ordinance into law . The parliament should then look into all discriminatory provisions in the constitution and try for their removal. There must not be any quota system. The constitution must provide equality and justice for all.Now let us focus on local governments. There could be several tiers of local government. We should give priority to local government at Zilla and Upazilla level. The local governments shall have control and jurisdiction over all matters (especially development activities) within their own jurisdictions. However, the District Council will work within the policy and framework outlined by the national government, and, similarly, the Upazilla Parishad will work within the scope of policy decided by the District Council. In other words, the local government will not take any decision contrary to the policy of the higher body. In a way, local government will ensure more effective implementation of national policies. The elected persons will play their roles within the jurisdictions they are elected for.All civil servants stationed in Zillas and Upazillas shall also be answerable to local governments, apart from the administrative control of their respective ministries. The deputy commissioner should be re-designated as district co-ordinator. He is not the "zilla proshashak," because nobody has elected him. He will be the senior-most civil servant within the district, co-ordinating all activities with the central government as well as the District Council. In the similar manner, all civil servants at Upazilla level must also be answerable to the Upazilla Parishad, apart from their respective departments or ministries. The UNO (Upazilla Nirbahi Officer) should be the senior-most civil servant at Upazilla level, co-ordinating all activities with other civil servants as well as the Upazilla Parishad. Thank God, the judiciary is already separated. The Anti-Corruption Commission should also continue to act independently. The country also needs a commission for human rights, equality, and justice. The next thing we require is a law providing right of information, with certain exceptions as provided for in the UK law.In a very brief paper, I have tried to give some sense of direction as to how we should move forward as a civilised democratic society. The nation-wide dialogue with all concerned must start now to decide on the finer points, especially the final wording of the all-important ordinance.
Fazlur Rahman Chawdhury.
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