Though the natural concern expressed by the EC representative body and the US Assistant Secretary of State was turned to an identical apprehension the reaction of the Finance Minister appearing in the news media on Troika pleadings was indeed very casual and unfortunate. He was reported to have made an instant satirical remark on EC representation viz Troika comparing its strength with the proverbial 'Nidhiram Sardar' and dismissing it as of no consequence. He was remarkably mum on Christina Rocca's advocacy for a free and fair election in 2007. However, on the two suggestions the LGRD Minister was relatively feeble in his comments -- particularly on the Troika apprehension that unless a free and fair election was ensured Bangladesh could turn out to be another Cambodia.

In any case, both the EC representative body and Christina Rocca made pointed reference to the neutrality aspect of the Election Commission and thought that this constitutional body shouldn't be administered and controlled by Prime Minister's Office. Besides, some of their words had been expressive of consternation at the dubious role played by the CEC. The queer episode being enacted on his health condition has already provoked bitter criticism across the country. His purposeful evading of the press (Troika excepted) compounded the doubts manifold and also put his desired impartial role into an absolute jeopardy. Consequently, the opposition demand for his immediate removal has been further strengthened.

Notwithstanding the curt and sarcastic remark from some stalwarts in the government the urgent necessity of holding a free and fair election in Bangladesh is fast turning out to be a global concern. At the latest we had confirmation of such a plea from the speakers in the Bangladesh forum convened international conference in Berlin, Germany on 'Human Rights in Bangladesh and the Civil Society'. Here the consensus had been that for development of democracy in Bangladesh the essential pre-condition would be a universally acceptable general election. And in the process of achieving such a desired goal the European Parliament and the European countries were reported to have committed themselves to work together for assisting the election process in Bangladesh in an effective and transparent manner. It is yet to be known if such a projected programme shall ultimately include reform and reorganisation of the Election Commission in the first place when the 'sick' CEC may no longer be a party.

Around the same time here in Bangladesh we have yet another public service institution limping on its weary way for over one year now since its birth. Curiously enough the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission presents an almost identical scenario at its highest echelon. Here too, the Chairman (retd. justice) and the other two members (one a retd. university teacher and the other a former chairman/FD of sector corporation) can hardly agree with one another on policy matters. And unfortunately, this important commission, being funded by ADB (Asian Development Bank) is yet to have its own rules and regulations, its functional leverage and administrative jurisdiction vis-a-vis its legal handle. A world of confusion interposed by frequent exchange of contradictory arguments making unwholesome inroad into the logical sequence of decision-making has been preponderant.

On January 30, 2006, the Finance and Planning Minister Saifur Rahman attended a meeting at the behest of ADB again. Here, he asked the chairman and the two members of the commission to compose their differences within next 7 (seven) days and obtain formal approval of the rules of business and administrative framework. Meantime, the whole nation shall await a revitalised, down to earth, mobile and a meaningful Anti-Corruption Commission making an all out, serious endevour to blot out the almost indelible story of the most corrupt country of the world -- five times in succession.

Separation of judiciary from executive is again a long outstanding issue awaiting early settlement as per directives of the Supreme Court. There has been lot of arguments over it but the progress towards a final settlement has been utterly discouraging. The present government continues to pray for more time to meet the directives of the Supreme Court. At the latest, it has asked for four more months' time under the threat of facing contempt of court. Parties in the opposition, Supreme Court Bar Association and the Bar Council continue their protest against government's 'deliberate' indifference to abide by the decision of the highest seat of justice in the country. It is doubted that the government shall not be able to fulfil its legal and moral obligations before the next general election.

The seminar/discussion meets subsequent to the annual parade of Bangladesh Police at Rajarbug in December 2005 presented an impression as to the extent of political influence the whole

police force and other agencies for law and order has been subjected to. Though feeble, some officers in the higher echelon of the Bangladesh Police openly contested and detested political pressures on the part of the government which, they thought, clashed with the execution of their responsibilities they were supposed to do under oath, to the state. There is yet another side of the coin that openly flouts the rules and regulations governing service conduct of any government official. The District Judge of Dhaka, long before his relinquishing the position has publicly expressed his willingness to seek BNP nomination in the next election. As per law of the land this is strictly forbidden. But who cares? In any case, his over-enthusiasm has already created furore among other potential nomination seekers of the party. A very pertinent question has already been raised on the legitimacy of his position as the district judge of Dhaka and to pass free, fair and impartial judgement on political litigations. Unfortunately he has exposed his partisan features at such a time when the government itself is almost face to face with contempt

of court for flouting/not implementing the directives of the Supreme Court on the outstanding issue of separation of judiciary from the executive.

Amid such and many other irregular and unconstitutional activities of the political parties in power, yet another public service institution of the country has been on the rampage of political vendetta. The lone Public Service Commission which hitherto used to enjoy reasonable freedom in dispensing fairplay and justice to the employment seekers, has been put on the dock allegedly on its dubious conduct of BCS examinations. We have heard of a good number of scandals around such examinations.

The whole scenario presents a most despicable state of our moral values at the instance of our political godfathers. Many respectable public institutions built over years of strenuous efforts wedded to high moral integrity are now rendered literal corpses of the good past. This is another way of debasing our national, intellectual and moral stature and earning global condemnation as the most corrupt country of the world!

Kazi Alauddin Ahmed is a management consultant.