Interim Govt. provokes criticism with poll move

By Our Special Correspondent

DHAKA, AUG. 29. Even as controversy continues over an amendment to the electoral laws, the interim Government led by Mr. Justice Latifur Rahman has now approved a second amendment to the controversial provisions which most major political parties of Bangladesh are opposed to.

The recently promulgated ordinance gives the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) absolute powers which are in contravention of the country's constitution, according to senior constitutional experts and major political parties. The Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. M. A. Sayed's action in forming a ``security council'' with the three chiefs of the armed forces and himself as the chief, without the knowledge of the other three Election Commissioners, has been met with protests.

While the Begum Khaleda Zia-led BNP-Jamaat axis endorsed most of the new provisions but objecting to some, the Awami League led by Sheikh Hasina, objected to the creation of the Security Council with the CEC as its chief.

Mr. Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury, a columnist and litterateur, who now lives in London but writes regularly in Dhaka's leading dailies, has expressed apprehension at ``the implementation of a secret blueprint '' to defeat the secular democratic forces which freed Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971.

While critical about the Awami League for its lapses when in government, Mr. Chowdhury - whose song ``Amar bhaer rakte rangano ekushe February, ami ki bhulite pari (how can I forget the blood of my brothers shed on February 21) was the guiding spirit of the secular Bengali nationhood - also chided Sheikh Hasina for not understanding beforehand ``a subtle conspiracy''.

Mr. Chowdhury said: ``Despite limitations and shortcomings the survival of the nation's secular democracy depends largely on the winning of the Awami League - the pro- liberation forces - in the coming election...I have every reasons to believe that the Pakistani hands are quite visible. Otherwise the caretaker Government headed by the former Chief Justice of the country could not have replaced the nation's Liberation War heroes from various key State positions and replaced them by the known anti- liberation elements, including the war criminals of 1971''.

Sheikh Hasina, who launched her formal election campaign from Sylhet today, earlier told a gathering of the country's intellectuals and leading professionals that ``a secret plan'' to install the ``defeated forces of 1971'' in power was on. She hoped that the interim Government would refrain from actions which exposed its ``partisan character''.

Sheikh Hasina said ``Please do consider the coming election as our second liberation war...I am telling you a serious conspiracy is on to undo the popular mandate.``

With elections a little more than a month away, the leading players have finalised their candidates - a tough task because of internal feuding - and are expected to announce the lists within a day or two. The alliance of the Jamaat-E-Islami and BNP is facing a crucial test of its unity as disagreements have already surfaced over seat-sharing. Begum Khaleda, however, expressed her confidence that her alliance will win the elections with two- thirds majority.

According to Begum Khaleda, the country is now united in ``resisting the Awami League''.

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Section  : International
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