The situation came to such a pass that reconstitution of the EC by persons of probity, charisma and neutrality was a necessity not to be ignored any further. With experiences so bitter and ordeal so high for the nation, the CEC and commissioners now appointed to form the new EC should work as the sentinels of the constitution without fear or favour. Dr. ATM Shamsul Huda, a seasoned civil servant and a charismatic personality with suave manner now appointed as new CEC, people fairly hope, can fulfil the nation's expectation as he underscored the need for electoral reforms after assuming his office. The pledges made by the new chief adviser about holding of a free and fair election through the introduction of voter ID cards and transparent ballot boxes and most important of all, flawless voter list, in his address over radio and TV has reinforced people's faith in the new government.

Already some bold steps taken by this government in separating the judiciary from the executive and reconstituting the EC and ACC has created confidence in people's mind and has led people to believe that this government will not resort to rhetoric, it means business. Most encouraging, as a former Governor of Bangladesh Bank Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed has diagnosed the ills plaguing the country and in his maiden address he made it plain that pervasive corruption and plundering of national wealth by a handful of dishonest people who had no identity in the political and economic activities of the country just a few years ago have pushed the country to a disastrous state. The chief adviser's assurance that stern action would be taken to curb the influence of corruption and black money through restructuring of the ACC has created a sense of confidence in people's mind.

The move taken in arresting the godfathers in politics and underworld tycoons manipulating the business world of the country seems to be a step in the right direction. But no steps should be taken too hurriedly without weighing facts and evidences so that those rounded up can escape through the loopholes of police investigation because of shoddy evidences against them. Undeniably true, it is not just the severity of punishment but certainty that is important. Seemingly the task of strengthening the ACC is the prime need of the hour because persons burdened with age and loyalty to the past government and having look at the perks and facilities that their positions in those constitutional posts entitled them to, had been there for more than two years seemingly to allow protection to the stalwarts of the past government who indulged in unbridled corruption even when they knew that rules have been framed in a way that they could never work independently. Even then they never thought of resigning from their posts.

And so the big shots in the past government even after indulging in corruption moved freely because they knew it for certain that no action could be taken against them if the prime minister had not so desired. True, corruption has corroded not just the whole system of governance but the very soul of Bangladesh. Now as the new Chief Adviser of the CTG, has assured the nation of freeing the country of the influence of black money and muscle power on election, may attempt dramatic changes at the earliest. Otherwise there is possibility that the nation would again be trapped in the quagmire of dirty politics and instability.

Take the case of the EC, a constitutional body not subservient to anyone, not even the prime minister or president of the country, that was entrusted with the sacred job of holding the parliamentary election and that did the job most perfunctorily only because of the fact that most of the commissioners appointed there on political consideration were always safeguarding the interest of the political masters and eventually every work related to election like voter listing, removing the flaws in the electoral roll and even the job of updating the list landed in controversies and a disaster. Despite all protests and criticism hurled from all quarters the EC that has now been abolished wanted to go ahead with the election scheduled for January 22 with such flawed list without even feeling the pinch of conscience.

The move to constitute an expert committee for examining the preparation of voter ID cards as the new CTG adviser Mr. Tapan Chaudhury indicated in a press interview on January 18, will prevent scope for fake voting and is a welcome step. The completion of the project, as Dr. Masroor Ali, Head of the CSE Deptt. BUET told in a media interview in the recent past, may cost a big amount of money that our country at this critical period can ill afford other than the time span required to complete the job, but even then this caretaker government that has achieved significant success through eradicating ills and evils in some ailing sectors like the police and civil administration in a very short span of time may fulfil its commitment to the nation, if necessary, by seeking donor assistance to the project in the interest of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Md Asadullah Khan is a former teacher of physics and Controller of Examination, BUET.