By NNN-BSS,
New York : Chief Adviser of Bangladesh caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed reiterated that his government is fully committed to holding the national election on December 18 this year and a remarkable achievement in preparing a voter list will make every future election in Bangladesh free and fair, including the upcoming parliamentary one.
The Chief Adviser made the assertion while addressing the plenary of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN Headquarters here on Friday.
Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said his government had done everything in its power over the course of the past 20 months for strengthening democracy in Bangladesh as it is the goal of the present caretaker government.
He said soon after assuming office in January last year, his government announced a roadmap for holding a truly democratic and meaningful election to give democracy an institutional shape in the country.
But, he said, this was no easy task, as decades of corruption had seriously undermined both the country’s democracy and economy. Corruption’s ill effects corroded its vital public institutions and the cost was ultimately borne by the ordinary citizens of Bangladesh, who could ill-afford it, he added.
About corruption, he said his government is determined to ensure that corruption does not imperil the rights of the under-privileged, and that in future, democracy ensures the good of all Bangladeshis.
“Our fight against corruption has been the first step in a long and difficult process, and we believe that the work will continue under the auspices of the independent Anti-Corruption Commission that was created as an institutional bulwark against corruption,” he added.
Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed said legal actions were initiated against corrupt individuals and “we never compromised with due process and judicial independence”.
The Chief Adviser, who is representing Bangladesh to the UN General Assembly session, in his speech covered the government’s different reform measurers, global climate changes, food security and macroeconomic performances of the LDCs.
About voter list, he said that his government has completed the monumental task of electronically registering over 80 million voters with photographs and fingerprints within just 11 months.
The Chief Adviser said in addition to creating a world-class photo voter list, the government issued national identity cards to all of the country’s eligible citizens those who registered themselves in the process.
He said the Election Commission, with newfound independent authority granted to it by the government, completed this task in a record speed with the support of the Bangladesh Army.
“Our armed services personnel-many of whom have shown their deep and abiding commitment to the ideals of the United Nations through their service in UN peacekeeping operations- provided critical logistical support to this end,” he said.
He said their success with the voter list was the result not
just of civil-military cooperation, but also international cooperation. He also appreciated UNDP for its technical assistance for this project, as well as the financial support of the country’s development partners.
Referring to different reform measurers of the government, Dr
Fakhruddin Ahmed said his government has made judiciary fully independent, formed a National Human Rights Commission, amended the Representation of the People Order and enacted a law ensuring right to information for maintaining transparency in government activities for the sake of democracy.
Under the newly enacted laws, rules and regulation, he said, it will require registration of political parties for elections, ensure intra-party democracy, implement campaign finance reforms that will limit the influence of corrupt money in the country’s political system.