Since the raison détre of this government is to hold a credible national election as early as possible and it is well past its first six weeks of public spirited service, murmurs are nonetheless heard whether an indicative, if not a specific, timetable can now be announced for the general election. A timeframe, not necessarily a cast-iron one in order to give a firm sense of direction to the nation, could be considered.

The perception of his government's performance and the reform-oriented thrust of his priorities have so far earned him and his colleagues well justified appreciation at home and abroad. But invariably such words of praise are mixed with an expectation of early election timeline. The speed with which he has moved to separate the judiciary from the executive, gone about reconstituting the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Election Commission and booked the political heavyweights and criminals, have all earned the caretaker government tremendous praise and credibility. They all seem directed towards creating an atmosphere for free and credible elections in the country. Work however need to be expedited on the electoral roll update and voter ID card distribution. A cue of a timetable can be had from the Army's offer to complete the ID card preparation and distribution between ten months and a year's time. Let's say we add another few months to hold the election. This takes us at best towards middle of next year. This is by way of giving us a notional timeline with reforms carried out by a caretaker government fully sensitive to the demand of the national polity and democratic image abroad.

It is true that the interim government is riding on the crest of public support and so long as it keeps it the better for it. But it is also true that timely election is also a popular desire.