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Iajuddin Ahmed's epiphany

Democratic forces in Bangladesh and the international community, working to the same purpose if not in concert, have forced President Iajuddin Ahmed to abandon the flagrantly partisan position he took on political issues in an earlier round. On January 11, facing an explosive situation across the country, Mr. Ahmed gave up the post of chief advisor to the caretaker government that he had appropriated disregarding constitutional norms. Mr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, an economist and former Governor of the Bangladesh Bank who has been appointed chief advisor, is likely to be given a free hand to form a credible non-party caretaker government. The parliamentary election, which was scheduled to take place on January 22, will now be held only after the electoral mechanism is revamped and voter lists are revised. Officials at different levels, known to be close to the Bangladesh National Party, are being removed from their posts. All these measures figured on the list of demands drawn up by the Awami League-led grand alliance. However, until the totally unexpected turnaround, President Ahmed had functioned like a BNP agent and refused to do the minimum for the credibility of the electoral exercise. The task before the new caretaker administration is to take corrective steps that will make all political parties feel they will be contesting a fair and credible election. In accepting responsibility for the political crisis caused by his approach, Mr. Ahmed appears to have signalled that he will no longer be playing the role of a BNP partisan.

The state of emergency imposed by the Bangladesh President continues to be a cause for concern since it entails the suspension of all fundamental and political rights. Although most political parties have been rather subdued in their reactions, the serious question of how an emergency can prepare the ground for a democratic election remains to be answered. Some restrictions, especially those affecting press freedom, were lifted less than a day after emergency was declared; the hope is that other restraints will be removed soon. Democratic forces in Bangladesh would do well not to be carried away by Mr. Ahmed's uncharacteristic demonstration of impartiality. After all, he came to this epiphany only after the Awami League-led alliance decided to boycott the election, launched a series of protests, and threatened to blockade the polling stations. In consequence, several western governments warned President Ahmed that they would not be able to certify the credibility of the electoral process. The opposition forces and the people of Bangladesh must not lower their guard in the struggle to preserve democracy.

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