Ever since the student leaders of Ganatantrik Chhatra Shakti announced a government-ouster movement on Saturday, the social media and mainstream media have flooded with nominations for the new prime minister from civil society, the main opposition BNP and Islamic scholars. Some are also suggesting the names of Cabinet members. Yet, no one has come up with a clear formula for the interim government that will oversee the next elections and the reform plans to make this country more democratic.

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Here, I’m presenting some ideas pressed by the West, Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Ganatantra Mancha and the BNP:

1. Tuesday Group’s Proposals

Agreement on Bangladesh Election Thresholds and Caretaker Government: Engagement Framework

Patricia Butenis, Dhaka/For State Department/October 6, 2006

1. (C) On October 4, the U.S., U.K., Australian, and Canadian heads of mission met and gave final approval for the UK-drafted elections threshold paper and the U.S.-drafted caretaker government engagement framework (see below). The heads of mission also discussed efforts to promote dialogue and confidence building measures between the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the opposition Awami League, which continues to threaten street action and an election boycott absent major changes in the electoral and caretaker regime systems.

2. (C) The U.S., U.K., Australian and Canadian heads of mission have been meeting informally since July to coordinate strategies with regard to the upcoming 2007 elections. This small grouping, which maintains a decidedly low profile, seeks to facilitate cooperation in a manner that the unwieldy “Tuesday Group” (a larger group) did not successfully manage.

3. (SBU) Texts of the elections thresholds paper and the caretaker government engagement framework are set out below.

Election Thresholds Paper

Introduction

Bangladesh is at a critical juncture. The next parliamentary election, under the provisions of the Constitution, is scheduled to be held in January 2007. It is potentially a defining moment in the country’s history, not least for the maintenance of democracy.

A contested election seen to be free, fair, peaceful, and accepted by all is essential if Bangladesh is to strengthen its democratic credentials and improve governance. A failed election could damage the social fabric of Bangladesh, impair its democratic foundations, fuel the rise of extremism, and impact on the country’s ability to meet its MDG targets.

The burgeoning political-criminal nexus that afflicts Bangladeshi politics has led to the existence of a “winner takes all” mentality, which in large part shapes the actions of the major political parties. Unless harnessed and monitored, the opportunities for violence, fraud, and election engineering are very real. The incumbent government (the BNP led 4 Party alliance) already stands accused of attempts to manipulate the election. The most serious allegations relate to:

— The appointments of: the Chief Election Commissioner – who is viewed as incapable of discharging his duties in a transparent and competent manner – and the Chief Adviser (the last Chief Justice) to the Caretaker Government – an ex-BNP party member whose appointment was engineered through a change in retirement rules;

— Manipulation of the voter list; and

— Appointment of people loyal to BNP/Jamaat (including in the public sector) to positions where they can influence both the conduct and the outcome of the election, including at the district level.

Against this backdrop, this paper seeks to identify a set of thresholds against three key issues, which can be applied to the election and which the international community is able to use to measure the success of the election under the following criteria: Free, Fair, Peaceful, Contested, and Accepted.

An Independent and Competent Election Commission (EC)

Measures:

— The Chief Election Commissioner should immediately take the necessary steps to address the perceptions of incompetence and bias which are undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

— The EC acts independently of the government in a manner that is both transparent and competent (including dialogue with all stakeholders in the electoral process).

— The EC delivers an accurate and inclusive (with religious minorities, people with disabilities, ultra poor and women included) voter list. Inaccuracies within the list must fall within internationally accepted norms.

— The EC administers voting day in a transparent and competent manner:

— Voters have access to well designed, un-tampered ballots;

— Poll officers are properly trained;

— Domestic and international observers have unlimited access to polling stations, vote counting centers, and the storage, labeling, transportation, and opening of ballot boxes.

— The compilation and announcement of results is transparent.

— The EC investigates and takes action on reported cases of candidate spending using “black money” and cases of vote buying and vote fraud.

A Credible Caretaker Government (CG) and President

Measures:

— The Caretaker Government should be formed according to the rules provided in the Constitution and discharge its duties in a transparent, impartial, and non-partisan manner.

— The 10 Advisers of the Caretaker Government (CG) are selected in a transparent and fair manner and in consultation with all stakeholders. Members discharge their duties in a non-partisan fashion, free from intimidation.

— The CG ensures equal, non-partisan election coverage by state-owned media.

— In the pre-poll period, the CG sets clear written guidelines for the behavior and actions of officials, including police and local government; investigates without delay all allegations of malfeasance by such officials which could distort the vote; and acts promptly to counter any wrongdoing, including by removal/transfer of offending officials.

— The President acts in a non-partisan fashion during the period of the CG, particularly with regard to the conduct and possible deployment of the military.

A Peaceful Election

Measures:

— Violence and intimidation are not used by the government or the opposition as a tactic to secure votes or disenfranchise voters. All violence is condemned by the CG.

— Attacks on candidates condemned by all sides. Responsible agencies provide adequate levels of security to candidates and officials.

— When marshalling peaceful protests/ campaign rallies, law enforcement agencies monitor but do not interfere in peaceful demonstrations which do not threaten harm to people or property and, if obliged to respond to violence, do not do so disproportionately.

— Law enforcement agencies, particularly the Rapid Action Battalion, do not assume roles which exceed those expected of them and do not act in a partisan manner.

— The media, civil society organizations and religious minority groups enjoy freedom of expression and are not targets of violence.

— If serious pre- or post-election violence erupts, the appropriate law enforcement and military personnel are deployed to carry out a mandate that is limited to the electoral process and public safety, and do so.

Other Measures

— The election should be time bound and held as planned in January 2007.

— In case of an opposition boycott, voter turnout must be at a credible level.

Implementation

It will not necessarily be the case that failure under a majority of measures in each heading will constitute overall failure; certain indicators carry more weight than others.

But it is against these measures that the electoral process and behavior of the political

parties, the CG, and EC will now be judged. The cumulative effect of their actions will determine our final decision.

Communications

Though these thresholds should not become public property, it is important that we are able to share our “;expectations” with all, making it clear that the whole process is under scrutiny. We can take a proactive approach to this, e.g. through press conferences, statements, placed articles, interviews etc., and for greatest impact seek to do so both individually and collectively, though groupings should not be limited to Tea-Group members. We should look to include/persuade other like-minded partners (e.g. EU, Japan) to participate.

Follow-up will be reactive and determined by the actions of those under scrutiny against the measures set out above. The nature of our response/reaction will be decided on a case by case visit.

Caretaker Government Engagement Framework

I. Primary Objective: To encourage and support Caretaker Government efforts to hold a successful election.

II. The Key Threats to a Successful Election:

1. Violence of a magnitude that challenges government authority and the anticipated election schedule.

2. Concrete moves by the Awami League to boycott the election, either on a pretext or because of a significantly lopsided playing field.

III. What a Good Chief Caretaker Adviser Should Do:

1. Appoint credible caretaker ministers.

2. Affirm commitment to a free and fair election.

3. Ensure equal, non-partisan election coverage by state-owned media.

4. Examine/redress the appointment of blatantly political police and local government officials placed to manipulate the electoral process.

5. Establish a productive relationship with the Chief Election Commissioner.

6. Condemn and take effective action against election-related violence, including attacks on religious minorities and the media.

7. Support as needed local and foreign election observers.

8. Avoid real or perceived acts of partisanship to minimize prospects of an election boycott.

9. Ensure law enforcement agencies, particularly the Rapid Action Battalion, do not act in a partisan manner.

10. Support the appropriate deployment, and powers, of law enforcement and military personnel.

IV. What the USG Should Do:

1. Seek an early meeting with the Chief Caretaker Adviser to underscore our support without favor for a successful election.

2. Meet early with all half-dozen Caretaker ministers to identify potential partners/major problems and underscore key USG objectives and concerns.

3. Meet early and regularly with key ministerial Secretaries (Home, Foreign Affairs, Finance) and the Chief of Army Staff/other key military officers to underscore objectives and concerns and work problems (e.g., violence or a flagrantly flawed voter list) that threaten a successful election.

4. Work with officials to ensure that foreign, and local, observers have the conditions to be successful.

5. Support Caretaker Government efforts in support of Section III items.

V. What Should Be Done Multilaterally:

1. Multilateral and bilateral donors should parallel our actions and statements.

2. If there is a major threat to the election, like a tactical Awami League boycott of the election in pursuit of a 1996 strategy of confrontation or if the Chief Election Commissioner has become an insurmountable obstacle or if BNP/JI-linked violence has reached precipitous levels, a diplomatic coalition of the willing should act in concert, either with public statements or via group demarches.

2. Dr Yunus’ proposal

1.15. Dr Yunus’ letter on new party

February 22, 2007

Dear Citizen,

I am writing to you again. First, let me express my salam to you. I could never imagine that I would get such massive response from the letter I wrote to you on February 11, 2007.

ACCEPT MY SINCERE THANKS AND GRATITUDE

You have encouraged my entry into politics with such logic and emotions that I could not help being astonished. I again felt the infinite blessings of Allah on me. From your replies, I have come to realise that how deep into your hearts you have let me in and you have put me in a position of great trust.

You have come forward and advised me with the desire to create a new politics for a new Bangladesh. A handful of young volunteers have been struggling to keep up with the incessant flow of mails, emails, fax and sms that you have sent to me after reading my letter in the newspapers. Your letters are continuing to flood in. The replies ranged from the people in remote villages of Bangladesh to the enthusiastic expatriates. I have received many valuable advices through your letters. I thank you from the depth of my heart. I express my gratitude to you. I also thank those who have asked me not to join politics out of their love for me. To them, I only have to say that only Allah can give us respect. If one wants respect, that person should earn it himself or herself. I want to go ahead with what I think is my duty. Overall, the message that you have clearly articulated to me, is that people from all walks of life want to go forward with me with a wish to bring widespread changes. I have no way to disappoint them.

I AM JOINING POLITICS WITH YOUR ADVICE

In light of your enthusiasm, I have decided to take part in your efforts for creating a new politics. I will join politics and establish a new party. Please pray, so that I can fulfill your wishes and so that Allah’s blessings are with me, as always. The foundation of my new party will gradually build up through the same consultative process I have used to come to this decision.

I have received many proposals regarding the name of the party and have decided on proposing the name ‘Nagorik Shakti’ (Citizens’ Power) to constantly remind the people of the creation of a new politics through unleashing the hidden power among all citizens. In short, we can use “Shakti” for promoting the party. We want to establish our beloved country among the frontline countries with the slogan “March ahead, Bangladesh.” We want the central motto to be the pledge being echoed inside each proud citizen today: “We Can.”

I have expressed on several occasions my ideas and opinions on the objectives and programmes the party requires to build a new Bangladesh. In this regard, I am enthusiastically trying to discern the hopes and desires of the nation. The messages that I have received from you recently, contained some questions, some opinions and some preferences on this matter. You wanted to know what would be my party’s goal and purpose? I will outline the goals and purpose of the party later. The party itself will decide on it once it is formed.

Let me say which aspects would characterise ‘Nagorik Shakti’ as a political party. I have been saying these for years. The politics of this party would be to move towards the future by coalescing the people under a unified goal; not to go around in the circles of the past by creating divisions. The activists in the towns and villages would be in charge of the party’s policy making. Those who break the law will not be allowed to become its leaders. All the nominations from the party for all elections, including national parliamentary elections, would be given by the local committee; and they will decide on the candidate by comprehensively considering their honestly and competency. To maintain public relations, it will follow alternatives to grand rallies. Women and the youth would be the lifeblood of this party, they would come to the leadership in huge numbers. This party will not judge everything from the party perspective; rather it will consult all other parties, non-political citizens, experts, expatriates and others. They will move forward together. Overall, this party would be the beacon of national unity and implementation of the nation’s dreams.

OUR POLITICS

Our politics would be the politics to materialise the dream of the liberation war. This politics would be a politics of unity, a politics of peace, a politics to establish honesty, a politics of labour, a politics to change the fate of the people as quickly as possible by reviving a new work ethics, a politics to send poverty to the museum. This politics will be non-communal, secular, democratic, good governance, free from corruption and against politicisation. It will be the politics of equity for women in all spheres, building the future of young generation and not to bow down to foreign power and to stand in the world holding the head high. I am urging all the citizens to come forward actively in support of this politics to make it a success.

IMPERATIVES FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THIS POLITICS

Come, let us start our work from this moment to establish these characteristics. Let our preparations begin by maintaining the existing provision of internal politics. Key areas of our activities at this moment will be our respective constituencies, villages and wards; take initiative to form, as many possible, 20-member ‘Primary Preparatory Team’. If you are staying outside your area, try to visit your area and contact people to take the initiative. It is your task to do the work of the organisation in your area. It is also your task to select honest and competent candidates and make them win in national and local elections; others will not do it for you. And it is also your duty to contribute money and other resources for it according to your ability. Those who can afford, can set up preparatory offices and contact centres of ‘Nagorik Shakti’ with their own initiative and financing, if necessary at your shop or personal workplace or own house, and hang signboards and banners in this regard. It will be better if these are many in number in an area. Write name of the party and our declaration (March ahead, Bangladesh) in clear letters on them. Make arrangements as best as you can to receive phones, letters, faxes, emails from people, give information and receive people’s opinion and let me know. Let the volunteers work here. Send us information and get recorded after forming a ‘Primary Preparatory Team’ or setting up preparatory offices and contact centres. Also encourage your friends to form preparatory teams. The success of ‘Nagorik Shakti’ will depend on your zeal and efforts. For the time being, begin your preparatory stage work on the basis of the draft outline as written below. The draft will be finalised after receiving opinion of all.

FORM PRIMARY PREPARATORY TEAM

Those, who will be member of the party, set up one or more offices in each ward of the villages of Bangladesh. Form preparatory teams in each ward as many as possible. Each ‘Primary Preparatory Team’ will comprise of 20 members with one convenor. These will be formed on the basis of different groups. Innumerable such preparatory teams of same groups may be there in each ward or you alone can form several such teams. Make sure that the number of teams of women members is equal to those of the men. Special initiatives have to be taken to form teams of women. To form teams, the groups would be: 1. male students, 2. female students, 3. adolescent male workers, 4. adolescent female workers, 5. young male workers, 6. young female workers, 7. young male social workers, 8. young female social workers, 9. young male service-holders, 10. young female service-holders, 11. young male professionals, 12. young female professionals, 13. young housewives, 14. farmers, 15. workers, 16. professionals, 17. service-holders, 18. small entrepreneurs, 19. businessmen, 20. young male businessmen, 21. young female businessmen, 22. housewives, 23. elderly men, 24. elderly women. It is not mandatory that each of the groups will have to form team. If any group has small number of members they may form team after joining members of other groups.

Elect a group-convenor in a ward (mahalla in the cases of metro cities) from among the convenors of all the teams in the ward. The group-convenors will form a convenors team. One of the tasks of the convenors team is that it would form a ‘Ward Preparatory Team’ with honest, competent and enthusiastic people of the ward. It will be your collective task to bring in the right people in this regard. Electing at least one third from among women for the ‘Ward Preparatory Team’ and other teams at all levels is a must; but equal number of male and female members is desirable. Form Union or town or Metro-ward preparatory team with three elected members of each ‘Ward Preparatory Team’ or ‘Mahalla Preparatory Team’ in case of metro cities. With three elected members from each such team, form ‘Constituency Preparatory Team’. The ‘Constituency Preparatory Team’ will play the key role in nominating the panel of honest and competent candidates for national and local elections and it, after getting approval at party selection at all levels of union/town/metro-ward, will later be sent to central committee. The district and national level teams can also be formed this way. By electing ‘Constituency Team’ at this moment quickly, we will have to begin the task of finding out honest and competent candidates for national and local elections. You yourselves will be able to turn these preparatory teams later into well-formed committees. After forming group-based ‘Primary Preparatory Teams’ as many as possible, you go forward to form preparatory teams at next levels. We will distribute detailed policy to all about the formation process of ‘preparatory teams’ at different levels to make things clear to all. I myself will begin the task of forming a general preparatory team with those among you who will be identified as more successful leaders among you and the experts.

The ward level team will have many duties. They will be responsible for local development and political organisation. Its key duty will be freeing the area from poverty. Key among its political duties will be to review continuously who will be eligible for contesting in the elections and for which post, and taking the responsibility of electoral task, to perform the task of nominating candidates.

THOSE WHO ARE WORKING OUTSIDE THEIR AREAS

Those, who are working in a distant workplace outside their village, take a week’s leave and go to your village. Going there, form as many as possible Primary Preparatory Teams and come back. These processes will not start if you do not go there. Preparatory teams would form one after another as soon as you go there. Encourage union parishad chairmen and members to establish ward-level preparatory teams. Now there’s no scope in criticising politics from your living rooms. Now is the time to overturn the political culture of the past. You are the sole creator of this change. If possible, take a long leave from work and go to your home. It is doubtful whether the chance to change politics would ever come again. Do not let it slip away with indolence. Your fate and the fate of future generations are in your hands.

SUPPORTERS GROUPS

Those who cannot come within the organisational structure because of personal reasons, please establish Nagarik Shakti Supporters Group from wherever you are or join your local supporters group. Three to 20 people can join each supporters group, including members or non-members of the party. Let me know the creation of the supporters group and its future developments. Even friends who are located in different areas can establish a supporters group. You can create your supporters group through emails, telephones or even through a blog on the Internet. Contact others and encourage them to create supporters groups. This force is needed to enforce the required change.

Dear Expatriate brothers and sisters

I am especially thankful to you. I have received a huge number of emails and telephone calls from you. You have expressed your trust in me. You have clearly stated your interest in bringing change to the country’s political arena. Now is the time to start work. Create supporters groups in the countries of residence. Establish its offices at your workplace or your home. Build up communication centres. Effectively use the modes of communication, discussion and disseminating information available through the Internet. Take steps to create supporters groups in your own village or your town back in Bangladesh. If possible, visit the country for a week or two. Go to your locality and create supporters groups. Ensure financial assistance for them. Identify and then talk to honest and competent candidates and then encourage them to join Nagorik Shakti. Constantly maintain contact with us and describe your activities. Give us your advice at every step. If possible, take leave from work or your business to come back during elections. This is your chance to earn the honour of establishing a new politics in the country with your own hands.

Dear Youth

You are the greatest strength of this country. You will establish a respectful future for this country. You surely want widespread changes in the political arena, then you must come forward with innovation and enthusiasm. You will have to build up organisations across the country. You must create effective and proactive support by establishing Nagorik Shakti Supporters Groups in schools, colleges and universities. You must echo the clarion call of “March ahead, Bangladesh.”

Call to the women of the country

Half of the country’s people are women. But, your role in the decision-making process is ignored. You have to come forward in publicising the new identity of Bangladesh. You can become a very powerful force in the materialising the dream of a new country. Gather your relatives and friends. Build up Nagorik Shakti Supporters Group. Everyone from Rural women to urban women, teachers, doctors, nurses, and students, all have to come forward. Now is the time to shed your dilemmas, fears, anxieties, and divisions to march forward in resolute steps. Come forward to ensure this beautiful nation becomes a country of peace.

You are the Citizens Power

I will be very happy if preparatory teams are set up in each locality. Those who have and will express such, I will understand that they have come forward to implement the dream of creating a new politics with their own labour, money and assets. You are the citizens’ power. I want to work with you. I strongly believe that many others would follow in your footsteps. The challenge ahead of you is big, and time is short. But you cannot forget that citizens’ power is a very powerful force. All of you have a strong belief in your heart “I can.” We want to awaken the entire nation with the declaration “March ahead, Bangladesh.” The merciful Allah will help us.

I am extremely sorry that I could not reply to your messages separately. I will certainly try to do so. But you must continue your communication with me. Your letters are shining the light on the path ahead. Please do not take this light away.

My address, fax number, phone numbers etc will remain unchanged. I am again providing them below. Others have expressed interest in volunteering on conveying your messages to me and vice versa. I will create more opportunities for them. Those who want to assist me in whichever way, please let me know in writing. I urgently need you. Otherwise, arrange the conveyance of people’s messages to me by creating preparatory offices and communication centres in your own areas. I am waiting for your progress reports, advice and opinions.

Thank you and greetings

Muhammad Yunus

3. Ganatantra Mancha’s 31-point proposal

The Ganatantra Mancha, a platform of six political parties, on July 12, 2023, announced a one-point demand for the resignation of the Awami League government, dissolving the parliament and holding the next general election under a neutral government. The Mancha also outlined a 31-point proposal for democratic reforms to the constitution at a press conference at the National Press Club.

-Reviewing and making constitutional reforms as well as forming National Reconciliation Commission for national consensus;

-The same person might be elected as prime minister only for two consecutive terms.

-Formulating election time neutral interim government, establishing two-house parliamentary system with a balance of power in both houses and introducing proportional representative parliamentary system.

-Amending Article 70 of the constitution so that lawmakers can express their views freely except for confidence motion and finance bill.

-ICT Act, Digital (now Cyber) Security Act, Special Powers Act and Anti-Terrorism Act should be repealed; new act for digital security would be formulated in line with international standard.

-Ensuring justice for journalists who were tortured and killed, including journalist couple Maasranga Television news editor Sagar Sarowar and his wife ATN Bangla senior reporter Meherun Runi.

-A Media Commission comprised of Supreme Court justices, media professionals and esteemed media personalities will be formed to ensure media freedom.

4. BNP’s 27-point proposal

The BNP unveiled a plan proposing radical changes to the state system including balancing the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet, and introduction of the upper house of legislature on December 19, 2022.

The 27-point outline of the ‘Structural Reform of the State’ has been prepared in line with BNP founder Ziaur Rahman’s 19 points and BNP’s ‘Vision-2030’ declared by its chairperson Khaleda Zia. Senior BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain announced the plan at The Westin Dhaka hotel. Representatives of the newly formed Ganatantra Mancha and other allies of the opposition party, along with professionals loyal to the BNP, were present during the announcement.

He said: “The current government has destroyed the state structure, and it needs to be repaired and rebuilt. A ‘public welfare government of national consensus’ with the participation of all political parties, who are taking part in the movement to oust this fascist government, will be established – aiming to give back the power to the people of the country.”

The 27-point outline include–

-Introduction of election-time neutral government system,

-Bringing balance in the executive powers of the president, prime minister and the Cabinet,

-Limiting the number of times individuals can serve as president and prime minister (no more than two consecutive terms),

-Introduction of upper house of the legislature,

-Formation of a constitution reformation commission,

-Re-introduction of referendum system in the constitution,

-Amendment of Article 70 of the constitution to allow members of Parliament to express their opinions,

-Amendment of the act on appointment of chief election commissioner and other election commissioners with a view to forming Election Commission with independent and impartial persons,

-Formation of judicial commission,

-Reintroduction of Supreme Judicial Council system,

-Establishing a media commission and economic reformation commission.