Broadly speaking, the nation agrees that reforms across the political spectrum, and that includes essentially some much needed transformation in the way the political parties are operated from within, are an inevitability if democracy is to be made meaningful. Indeed, in the past many weeks the interest generated in the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in favour of reforms is evidence of a changing mindset not only among the top political figures but also their followers. We believe that the train of reforms that has begun to move will, in time and in a clearly natural manner, yield the results the nation expects. However, for anyone to suggest that political activities, even on a limited scale, must be put on hold until such time as the reforms are completed is to impose a conditionality that should not be there. And there are all the reasons why we say this. In the first place, the Election Commission, frustrated though it is by the government's refusal to lift the ban on indoor politics, has already got down to work through pilot voter ID projects in Gazipur. In the second, the Anti-Corruption Commission has been going full steam ahead in its crusade against criminality.

Given these realities, a bit of a leeway for politicians, through relaxing the ban on indoor politics, can only help to carry the party reforms process further ahead. The law adviser's idea of a roadmap to elections will definitely acquire more substance once politicians are permitted to engage in consultations among themselves. The need, eventually, is to create an enabling atmosphere for democracy to resume its journey, this time in a purposeful manner.