Hopes of any dialogue to narrow the gap between the ruling coalition and the mainstream opposition have practically faded away due to their rigid stances over the reforms and moves to take control of street politics.

The opposition parties have declared their intention to resist any election without electoral reforms while the ruling coalition has outright rejected their demand. And the Election Commission (EC) remains silent on the reform issue.

If the situation remains unchanged and the reform issue is left for the interim government to handle, many believe a three-month turmoil is awaiting the caretaker government that will take over late next year.

They said even the formation of the caretaker government may not be easy as the opposition parties are demanding reform in the system.

"The caretaker government will face difficulties conducting the general election by resolving the political crisis over the issue of electoral reforms," former adviser to the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan told The Daily Star.

"The interim government does not have much time to settle such disputes. So the issue of reforms should be resolved before handing over power to the caretaker government that runs the country for three months," he said.

Another former adviser to the caretaker government, Maj Gen (retd) Moinul Hossain Chowdhury said the interim government's only task is to hold election. "How can the caretaker government do it (reforms) in such a short time," Moin told The Daily Star.

Asked about the government position against electoral reforms, Moin observed, "The present government is passing the buck on the caretaker government, which is not acceptable. The government should not do it."

Both the former advisers observed that reform in the electoral rules is essential to make future elections free from black money and muscle power and to strengthen the EC. They said electoral reforms should be done by an elected government.

"The elected government should bring such reforms and the Election Commission can take initiatives in consultation with the political parties," Moin suggested.

Hafizuddin said the Election Commission should initiate the move for reforms much before the election.

On the other hand, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed on Saturday made it clear again that the government has no plan to bring reforms in the electoral system.

"If the next caretaker government thinks that the electoral system needs changes, it may bring reforms through ordinance," the law minister said speaking at a publication ceremony of a book in the capital.

Echoing the former advisers, former chief election commissioner (CEC) Abu Hena said the issue of electoral reforms should be considered seriously and the political government should bring the reforms.

"The process of bringing reforms in electoral rules should start immediately as time is running out. The matter should not be left for the caretaker government," he said.

The former CEC said: "If the government does not take any step, then the Election Commission should take the initiatives."

Another former CEC MA Syed, who initiated a set of reforms in the electoral rules before the last general election and some of them were introduced during the tenure of 2001 caretaker government, said reform is a continuous process.

"Reforms in the electoral rules should be brought much before of the election to make the amendment well known among the people, political parties and the contenders in the polls," he told The Daily Star.

ANOTHER FEB 15 POLLS?
Awami League-led 14-party alliance, which has been agitating for electoral reforms, has already declared that they will boycott the election if it is held without reforms in the caretaker government system and the electoral rules.

The opposition leaders said they will realise their demand for reforms through street agitation. But the ruling party high-ups said they will face the opposition in the streets and the election will be held on time.

Amid such a situation, uncertainty looms large over the fate of the next election and it is also being discussed that another February 15 election is likely to be held.

"It is difficult for a neutral caretaker government to conduct any parliamentary election keeping some major political parties out of the race," Hafizuddin said.

The BNP government conducted the February 15, 1996 election boycotted by all major opposition parties and the parliament formed through the polls lasted only 11 days.

But this time a non-party caretaker government will be in charge and question has been raised whether the interim government will take the risk of holding national election keeping the major opposition parties out of the race.

Another former adviser to the caretaker government said the caretaker government will not dare to hold any controversial election.

"The only task of the interim government is to hold a free and fair election. Neutrality of the caretaker government will be seriously questioned if the election is held amid boycott by major parties," said the former adviser wishing anonymity.

Besides the routine work of administration, the caretaker government will have to create a level playing field for holding fair election and a suitable atmosphere by controlling law and order and reshuffling the administration.

EC SITS IDLE
CEC MA Aziz has repeatedly been saying since last May that he will send a set of proposals to the government to bring reforms in the electoral rules including setting up of an independent secretariat for the EC.

But the CEC has not yet sent the proposals to the government. He neither discussed the issue in the EC meeting nor shared his ideas with the two election commissioners.

Before the last parliamentary election in 2001, the EC initiated reforms in the electoral rules and held a series of dialogue with the political parties over the reforms. But the then Awami League government did not bring reform in the electoral rules.

In a hurried move the last caretaker government amended some provisions of the electoral rules through promulgating two ordinances.