5-Jan-style polls no more affordable: Zonayed Saki

Bangladesh needs a democratic transition and its political stakeholders must strike a social contract to make that possible, Ganasanghati Andolan’s Zonayed  Saki has observed.

He proposes a national charter in order to set the future course of politics, especially coexistence of political parties that are now in a state confrontation.

“Bangladesh has come to a transitional stage when we must look for a democratic transformation. Otherwise, we will face obvious threats,” Saki who coordinates the Andolan, considered a progressive platform, told Prothom Alo in an exclusive interview.

He pointed out that the ruling Awami League leaders think thousands of their leaders and workers would come under attack if they fail to return to power. “The BNP, on the other hand, believes it would perish unless it can come to power,” he said.

“It does not prove a minimum healthy political atmosphere, nor has there been a minimum democratic atmosphere,” added the leader of Ganasanghati Andolan which emerged as a platform of different strata and professions of people in 2002. It was declared a political party in 2015 although the election commission is yet to recognise it as a registered party.

About the current state of politics, Zunaid Saki mentioned that the next election would be held under the Awami League government, no matter if other parties join it or not or try to stop the process. This means, he argued, there is no initiative to accommodate all in the electoral process.

“The way the present government and the election commission say the next election will be held does not indicate the polls will be fair and the people will be able to exercise voting rights,” Saki said.

He outright rejects the idea of holding yet another one-sided election like the one held on 5 January 2014, saying that such an election would be harmful for the nation and even for the AL. “Bangladesh cannot afford such an election while the people will not accept that.”

He emphasised the need to unite the people to resist the process of repressive rule and ensure the people’s voting rights.

His Andolon demands dissolution of parliament before announcement of the polls schedule, resignation of the cabinet and formation of the poll-time government based on consensus of all political parties.

He also proposes that at least two more general elections should be held under a neutral government to be formed on the basis of consensus of all political parties.

For future politics, Saki said article 70 of the constitution which restricts the voting rights of the members of parliament, should be abolished.

He also recommends a constitutional council for giving appointment at the key positions of the constitutional bodies so that they can be made functional and independent.

He also proposed that there should be proportional representation instead of ‘winners take all’ formula applied in elections held under existing terms and conditions.

* This piece, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition as interview text, has been rewritten as a story in English by Khawaza Main Uddin