There is no denying the fact that road to democracy is an arduous task in the third world countries, particularly in South Asia. Democracy is synonymous with good governance and rule of law. Democracy generally means “government of the people, by the people and for the people” where people irrespective of caste, creed and colour have access to government and all citizens enjoy freedom and liberties. The government is accountable to people and transparent in governing the country.

As of now democracy has flourished in India and government in India is elected by the people and the people are governed according to rule of the game since partition of the British India in 1947. Possibly India had faced difficult times during emergency rule by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. State of emergency was imposed in India on 25 June, 1975 until 1977 during which the Prime Minister ruled by decree. Fundamental rights were suspended, political leaders arrested and a heavy censorship was imposed on the news media. That was black chapter in history of India. Here too guard of the political parties are changed following general election to the Parliament. The exception is the Indian National Congress whose leadership is shared by Nehru’s dynasty. Presently Indian National Congress is dominated by wife of Rajiv Gandhi, son of Indira Gandhi while Vice-Presidentship lies with Rahul Gandhi, son of Rajiv Gandhi. That means leadership goes to Rahul Gandhi ultimately. It means Nehru dynasty remains in the Party.

On the other hand, Pakistan has had turbulent history in democracy. Practically democracy remained absent in Pakistan for last 60 years until Benazir Bhutto got elected in Pakistan as Prime Minister through popular votes in 1988 who served two non-consecutive terms in 1988 to 1990 and 1993 to 1996. Major part of Pakistan’s history was under Martial law of the military regimes. Only recently transition to administration by elected representatives has been peaceful indeed. Incidentally, there has been no change in the hierarchy of the political parties in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif has been the chief of Muslim League (Nawaz) for long time while chief of People’s Party has been maintaining dynasty.

In Sri Lanka, a neighbour of India, democracy remained on the dock under the leadership of President Rajapaksa who ruled the country for the last ten years ruthlessly. Practically, he was running dynasty, to say the least. Political guard in Sri Lanka has been changed during presidential election in January, 2015. Maithripala Sirisena won the election defeating Rajapaksha ending dynastic rule in Sri Lanka. Newly elected President declared to bring Sri Lanka under Parliamentary system and President would remain titular head. It is hoped that democracy will prevail in Sri Lanka in future.

In Maldives, which is located in South Asia and member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, has been involved in dirty politics since the departure of authoritarian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom after three decades of ruling. Abdullah Yameen, half brother of Abdul Gayoom, took power as President through conspiracy by ousting President Mohamed Nasheed. Now Gasim Ibrahim, resort tycoon and leader of the Jumhooree party and Mohamed Nazim, defence Minister until last month were subjected to harassment by the regime of Abdullah Yameen while Chief Justice of the Supreme court Ahmed Faiz Hussain was removed on charge of incompetence. Now immediate past President Mohamed Nasheed has been sentenced to 13 years in prison on charge of terrorism. The word “terrorism” has become political weapon in South Asia to crush political opponent.

Landlocked between India and China, two giants in Asia, Nepal has been passing through a critical history following the abolition of Kingship of King Gyanendra through United movement of 2006. Since dissolving the constitution assembly on 28 June, 2012 because of its failure to produce constitution of Nepal the country has been plunged in darkness of history. However, successful general elections on November, 2013, which was conducted by caretaker government headed by Chief Justice of Nepal, Khil Raj Regmi as interim Prime Minister, could possibly usher in democratic trend in Nepal. Titular head of Nepal President Ram Baran Yadav appointed Chief Justice as chief of caretaker government. Nepal congress and Communist party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist party along with Maoist formed a coalition government with Sushil Koirala as Prime Minister on 11 February, 2014.

Incidentally, no political parties in Bangladesh follow democratic norms in their own organizations. In 2008, leaders of Bangladesh Nationalist Party have declared Begum Khaled Zia as life long chair of the Party. By all means the decision by the members of the standing committee of BNP negates basic principles of democracy. The decision did not reflect the opinion of the general members of the party if any as such.

It is inherent weakness in the political system in Bangladesh. There is no need to bring any resolution either by the standing committee of BNP or presidium of Awami League to declare lifelong chief of the Party. In the existing system the top leaders of the parties will continue to preside over the destiny of the party until death. There is no provision to groom the next chief of the Party from among the dedicated and sincere activists. Therefore, chiefs of political parties will remain chiefs until they are incapacitated. None of the political parties hold election to elect Chairperson, president or Ameer and other members of the executive committee through secret ballot. Therefore, selection system itself is undemocratic. Neither Secretary-General of Awami League nor acting Secretary-General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party is member of the grassroots level of the Party. Secretary-General of Awami League has been spending most of the time in London who possibly never travel to district or upazila to organise the party. As of now there is no regular Secretary-General of BNP since the departure of M. A. Mannan. Acting Secretary-General of BNP had been under arrest. Only recently he has been granted bail.

At least on three counts Bangladesh Nationalist Party was severely criticised. First, selection of National Executive Council and standing committee were left with newly elected chairperson: Khaleda Zia instead of electing them through voting. Secondly, electing Tareq Rahman as Senior Vice-Chairman of the party which means designed him to become head of the party in the near future. That means he is being groomed as Zia dynasty. Thirdly, deletion from party’s charter of the provision against war criminals barred from joining BNP and contest election was severely under attack.

Another political party: Jatiya Party of Gen. Hussein Mohammad Ershad held its council convention of the Party in 2009.
Boycotting of the session of Parliament is undemocratic indeed which Bangladesh Nationalist Party did in the recent session of ninth Parliament. By boycotting sessions of the Parliament BNP betrayed the faith of voters in them. Both Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party were oath bound to President Jimmy Carter. Both parties violated the commitment to President Jimmy Carter. President Jimmy Carter visited Bangladesh to promote democracy in Bangladesh and held talks with Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party in August, 2001. Both the leaders have committed to Jimmy Carter to renounce the use of hartals, violence and intimidation. In his statement following general election on first October, 2001 Jimmy Carter was  on record by saying “political leaders, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, also pledged not to boycott the next Parliament and to help ensure that the opposition plays a meaningful role in the new legislature, no matter which party formed the government. I have called on Khaleda Zia to respect fully the pre-electoral agreements to ensure a full and legitimate role for the opposition under the new government, especially in Parliament and with respect to the role of Speaker.”

General election took place on first October, 2001 under a neutral caretaker government which was declared by international observer as peaceful, free and fair election. Despite commitment to President Jimmy Carter Sheikh Hasina of Awami League boycotted the Parliament and made things undesirable in political arena. The same trend was followed by BNP leader Khaleda Zia during the ninth Parliament. Tit for tat game is not appreciable in political arena which means interest of the country does not receive priority by the political parties.

Having seen chaos in the countries in South Asia it is suggested that reform in political parties have become a priority issue. There is no alternative to reform. All political parties must reform themselves to be truly democratic. Chief of the political parties should not remain at the hierarchy for more than four years. When such person is nominated as the Prime Minister or President he or she should relinquish party post immediately to govern the country neutrally on non-party basis. In this case, Prime Minister and President of the country should be accountable to the people he or she represents, not to a political party he or she represents. Election to the party cadres should be held through ballot. A four or five member election commission should be constituted from retired or elderly personalities of the political parties to conduct election who will be barred from contesting any post.

Independence of judiciary is sine qua non to ensure justice and rule of law in the country.  Judiciary should be separated from executive branch. Article 22 of the Constitution spells out about separation of the judiciary from the administration, but no government in Bangladesh since independence of the country did so. The country needs a good government which follows rule of law and governs the country in a democratic manner.

Without reforming political parties, people cannot expect a good and honest government. Therefore, leaders of all political parties should resolve to restore confidence of the people in the parties. At the same time people should be educated about democracy, civil societies should be strengthened, and law enforcement agencies should maintain neutrality and human rights should be ensured. These are the basic requirement to strengthen democracy.  If the leaders do not behave in a democratic manner, the people of the country will themselves bring about drastic changes for their survival.  This writer concludes by quoting from President Woodrow Wilson, scholar-President of America, “Society, it must always be remembered, is vastly bigger and more important than its instrument, Government. Government should serve Society, by no means rule or dominate it. Government should not be made an end in itself; it is a means only, a means to be freely adapted to advance the best interests of the social organism. The State exists for the sake of Society, not Society for the sake of the State.” State machinery of Bangladesh government should take note of this to conduct its business.