Election and ethnic minorities
Jerome Sarkar, On email
A half-day workshop was organised on 26 July 2006 by RDRS Bangladesh in its conference room situated at Uttara as an Election Working Group (EWG) member. At the initiative of Asia Foundation, 35 NGOs have been selected to promote democratic culture and create an environment to ensure that the ethnic community including hard-to-reach people participate in the overall election process. In view of different challenges confronting the ethnic poor, a strategic training module in draft form was presented by RDRS Bangladesh for general discussion.In the process of establishing a strong-footed democracy in a country like Bangladesh the mass participation including that of the ethnic minority and 'hard-to-reach' people is a significant factor. This training module has been developed precisely detailing with why one should become a voter, how to vote, what is the benefit of being a part of the election process, what should be done to tackle the obstacles, etc. The draft was articulately explained, which was followed by an open forum discussion and finally with some modifications the same was approved unanimously for onward submission to the Asia Foundation. The role of the relevant NGOs is to create awareness and encourage the ethnic people to participate in the election by using the training module guidance. These NGOs are also entrusted to act as vigilant observers to oversee the election activities and prepare a surveillance report. More than 40 participants representing different NGOs attended the meeting and they are expected in return to hold workshops, meetings and trainings in their working areas to motivate the ethnic minority people living there by using the same training module everywhere. The NGOs will take initiative to form committees with civil society consisting of local elites and professionals. They will also hold discussion meetings with influential personnel and professional groups to make the learning process easier, understandable and to invite cooperation of all. Moderator referred to a write-up published in the Daily Sangbad on 25 July 2006 on 'Voter list of ethnic minority' by Mithushilak Murmu, an ethnic columnist. The writer appealed that in the event of debacle in Election Commission Office with regard to preparing a fresh voter list, ethnic persons should be engaged in listing their names as voters, for the sake of preparing an authentic list of the ethnic people. We all are aware that socially, economically and politically the ethnic minorities are grossly neglected. They are often forcibly deprived of their civil and legal rights. They are driven out of their homesteads and lands. Ignorance, poverty and illiteracy are the basic causes of their backwardness. They need education, training and motivation. There is a need to instil in them confidence, courage and inspiration. The step taken by the Asia Foundation is indeed commendable and appropriate for organising the NGOs in this direction. The Asia Foundation will extend financial support to the NGOS for fulfilling the objective efficiently by involving the ethnic minority and hard-to-reach people in the process of election.
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