The petition
A successful democracy is the product of political and civil institutions – all working through a system of checks and balances for the good of individuals and society. Over the last 16 years, Bangladesh has had a mixed record of building such institutions. Despite the presence of a vibrant media and a strong civil society, the main pillars of democracy – the political parties – have failed to mature and evolve in line with the aspirations of the people.
The major political parties of Bangladesh are dominated by their founders and their family members. As a result, instead of democracy sprouting its roots in party politics, the parties overtime became an institution of cronyism and autocracy. Corruption became pervasive and governance of the country, in the name of democracy - became one of kleptocracy.
Notwithstanding politicians’ stigmatic failures of the past, Bangladesh, today, is challenged with a rare opportunity to reform and rebuild its institutions of democracy, at the nucleus of which lies the political parties. Since there is no alternative to democratic governance — there is also no substitute to reforming the political parties for altruistic service to the teeming millions.
True democracy will not see the light of the day unless the politicians adhere to some fundamental rule of politics and governance
* Practice intra-party Democracy: Hold regular elections for grassroots and top level party leadership positions. Introduce term limits for party officials. Highly committed bright youngsters should be identified for future leadership positions.
* Accountability: Elect, appoint and promote party leaders based on performance and meritocracy. Under performing party officials should be demoted or removed from party hierarchies.
* Zero Tolerance for Corruption: There should be zero tolerance for corruption and unethical practices. “Politics of looting” has shamed us worldwide.
* Adhering to the rule of law: Political parties’ modus operandi must at all times be strictly followed. Reconciliation must replace confrontation with either rival political parties or the government. Political parties must stop Illegal hartal, political violence, and boycott of parliamentary sessions as instruments of defiance and disagreement on issues of difference and discrepancy.
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