Own brand of democracy with foreign money? Give us a break!
We have previously asserted that the 50plus generation in Bangladesh is incapable of thinking of their own, they always talk and think about the country with a reference to Kissinger’s characterization of BD economy. We are not happy to see that our assertion is not proving quite wrong so far. Now they are proving it again, even the best of the generation does it now!
To have a good governance structure, we need a strong institutions. The election commission needs to assert itself within the national polity its strong existence. Does it help the organization to achieve that by requesting for and accepting foreign money? Not a very good idea.
First they thought of asking for foreign money to even build the transparent ballot boxes. The foreigners want to be seen as the good guys who helped strengthen Bangladeshi democracy. However, these second and third rated diplomats do not have the slightest idea that their good goodwill show is self-defeating. But we do not want to use this column to blame the good friends from foreign countries and donor agencies. Rather we hope that they will restrain as much as possible from things that are political and national in nature. If they can noticeably do that, only then, we will be proven wrong of this assertion regarding their competence. We want to remind them to go back to the basics of democracy and responsible governance – how nations around the world have achieved them. If they want to see them as the new versions of Robert Clive, then we have no comment. We would urge them to be very very careful before deciding on spreading money around, before putting finger on anything that has national aspect, given the current political reform in Bangladesh. Be great by being silent where it is required. Do your mandated job that is to perform efficiently the humanitarian projects, heath projects, education projects, infrastructure projects, environmental project and above all, renewable energy projects as well as looking after the national interest of your respective countries. But the voting projects? Stay as away as possible if you really have the goodwill in your heart for the Bangladeshis.
The Election Commission budget should be fully funded by local money. No matter what. If the government can finance the subsidy of oil, if the governement can give tax breaks to the rich businessman, if the government can allow the wealthiest of the society to study in public universities for virtually no money (in the name of fairness), government can find the money support the most basic of its governance infrastructure. Both Chief Election Commissioner and Chief of ACC should be remind themselves that every citizens are watching their every move. There is not much clearance for being perceived as inefficient or less dynamic or less patriotic. If you do not get the funding, set up accounts for the public to donate to your budget. Go for issuing non-profit investment notes through the exchanges so the private citizens can help your organizations. Let the media know that your institution need money, because government is unable to finance your operations. Let us see if the people would directly finance you. Our local businessman and MNCs working in local market has been working very hard to achieve good practices of global standards by engaging into the soceity they operate on. Should EC come openly to the local donors for its projects, we hope that the response would be more than enough. We would even opt for dividing the project into many portion and let the companies to chip in. Let at least few projects be locally funded projects that the general people can take pride in. Please! Only if that fails, then invite the foreigners to finance these two organizations. Be assured that if you do as suggested here, that unfortunate day will never come.
Let us take few minutes to put things into right perspective. Government of Bangladesh is highly dependent on foreign money – many of which are loans, some of it is aid and grants (which are increasingly less). This is not a complain. To us its a good sign. Surely, there is a need for good negotiation for the terms of the loans.
However, most of the foreign money goes to more humanitarian type projects – which is the correct approach.
The election commission and anti-corruption commission should work creating the right perceptions among its main clientele – that is the people of Bangladesh. Accepting foreign money for operations of these two institutions are a bad idea and should be dropped. We understand that even though the EC and ACC does not want to take foreign money for their projects, there might be pressure for it from the donors and development partners. Here is the need for leadership on the part of CEC Dr. Huda and ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury – tell them politely "Thank you for your offer". But we are figuring out the way to raise our own money.
National pride is not something that foreigners can loan to you, or donate to you. The people of Bangladesh will have to earn that. The two Cheifs that we are talking to today – you have a very good reason to think about it. The government will go away, but you will stay to serve the nation even when this caretaker government is not there. So, think the citizens of the country is your main stakeholder – nobody else is more important than the people. Serve them. Make them proud. Allow them participate directly, if needed.
If you thought some of the ideas are worth of your reading time, please forward it to others. If you have an ear to the members of the CG, ACC, and above all, the members of the Election Commission, please forward it to them. If you have an ear to the journalists and news editors of the electronic media, discuss it with them. Hope they would look at the suggestions and give due diligence.
Article Writen By – Innovation Line