Political parties seek to garner public support with pledges made in their manifestos; however, most of them are not implemented after making it to the parliament.
A Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) study, published on Monday, found that a massive disparity is prevalent among the political parties in following up on their promises.
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman termed this trend as a ‘routine practice’.
“There is a huge difference in words of pledges and those executed in reality. This is unacceptable,” he said on the occasion of publishing the research report titled ‘Good governance and integrity in political parties’ election manifestos’ at Midas Centre in the capital.
He also said, “There are many positive achievements. Legal framework to strengthen the Democracy of Bangladesh has become significantly robust. However, these laws lack implementation like the inconsistencies of making good on promises.”
Pointing out a drawback in our legal framework, he said, “... it is way more strong compared to a decade ago. However, all these were achieved in papers. Right to information is a big step forward, but, another law entirely on its contrary is also being devised.”
Elaborating on the political party manifesto Iftekharuzzaman said, “The process of producing a polls-time manifesto is quite similar across the parties. A sub-committee prepares a draft and gets it revised and finalized by the party chief with no place for opinions from the root-level party activists.”
“Most parties have made pledges to ensure good-governance, however, those lack specific action plans aimed at implementation. While some promises under the category have been realized, few significant ones like establishing an effective parliament, appointing ombudsman, abolishing draconian laws, revealing wealth reports of representatives’, autonomy for state-owned radio and TV channels were never achieved. On the other hand, oppressing laws have been enacted that undermined freedom of speech and human rights,” the investigation observed.
The TIB research on polls-time manifesto covered a number of political parties including Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party. Jatiya Socialist Party, Workers’ Party, Bangladesh Communist Party, Bangladesh Socialist party, Ganaforum and Islami Andolon Bangladesh.