—Noore Alam Siddiqui—

In the aftermath of the blood-stained July-August revolution, Bangladesh has been presented with a rare opportunity to permanently transform its political culture. Such moments of transformation come only once in a century. A generation of young people, who had consistently been denied the freedom to exercise their voting rights, has fiercely resisted one of history’s most domineering authoritarian regimes. This extraordinary achievement by Generation Z now serves as a source of inspiration for the entire world. In recognition of this, the globally renowned British magazine, The Economist, has named Bangladesh the ‘Country of the Year’ for 2024.

Bangladesh’s politics has reached a point where it has become a mere means of gaining power and economic benefits. The fundamental purpose of politics should be public welfare, yet it has been confined to personal and party interests. Against this backdrop, making politics “unprofitable” and eliminating opportunities for illegal financial gain for ministers and members of parliament would be the greatest reform in the country’s political system. By bringing about such a radical change in politics, it is possible to foster democracy, good governance and public welfare activities. However, achieving this transformation requires sufficient time, patience, united efforts, effective policies and active public participation. The current interim government must utilise all its resources to implement this broad-based reform.

For decades, politics in Bangladesh has been reduced to a game of power. Elections, appointments and government privileges have increasingly been used for personal gain since independence. This has weakened democratic institutions, leading to increased corruption and wastage, while the public interest has been gravely neglected. Many politicians exploit public projects and development programmes as avenues for illicit wealth accumulation. However on Sunday post-revolution Bangladesh, such unethical practices must be minimised significantly.

If politics becomes unprofitable and free from the influence of corrupt individuals, terrorists and extortionists, the root causes of corruption will weaken. When it is no longer possible to gain personal or party wealth through political power, the propensity for corruption will decrease. Additionally, the absence of financial incentives in politics will shift politicians’ focus towards public welfare and development work. This will result in an effective, transparent and accountable administration. Such unprofitable politics will ensure politicians’ accountability to the people, as they will depend solely on public support rather than financial influence.

To achieve this unprecedented transformation in politics, the independence and empowerment of the Election Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the judiciary must be prioritised. Strict laws must be enacted to ensure transparency and accountability for politicians.

There should be transparent and well-defined rules for party funding and election expenses. Regular audits of party finances must be conducted to prevent the misuse of funds. Similarly, excessive privileges for politicians should be limited, and stringent policies should be established to prevent the misuse of public resources. Above all, public participation and attention towards politics must be enhanced. An aware and engaged populace will reject opportunistic politicians.

However, this process is not without challenges. Politicians who view politics as a means of personal wealth accumulation will resist such changes vehemently. Their opposition will pose a significant challenge. Additionally, a large portion of the population is unaware of the true purpose of politics. Educating and enlightening them will take time. Furthermore, the institutions that regulate and oversee politics are often weak. Thus, their reform is essential for making politics unprofitable.

In this critical juncture of Bangladesh’s history, the interim government must play a neutral, transparent and effective role. The first step should be to introduce constitutional reforms that are comprehensive and acceptable to all. Without such foundational reforms, many other reforms will not be sustainable.

Simultaneously, political financing must be regulated by setting limits on financial contributions to political parties and candidates. Strict laws must be enacted and enforced to prevent the use of illicit funds in elections, and political appointments or unethical privileges stemming from influence must be stopped. Candidates’ election expenditures must be capped and closely monitored. Election codes of conduct must be strictly enforced to prevent irregularities. The ACC, once a hub of corruption, needs extensive reform to ensure impartial and effective anti-corruption measures. The judiciary must remain free from political influence to guarantee justice. Media should be allowed to work independently to expose unethical activities. Educated and skilled leaders should be encouraged to enter politics, while corrupt individuals must be opposed at all costs. Internal democracy and accountability within political parties must be ensured. Unnecessary financial benefits and special privileges for political officeholders should be limited, and avenues for illegal benefits in public projects must be closed. The Election Commission must be strengthened and given an environment to operate independently. All actions should be recorded on digital platforms to identify any irregularities. The rights of political parties outside of power to express their opinions must be ensured. Mutual respect and understanding among political parties should be fostered.

The interim government must adopt all these measures promptly and effectively. Proper implementation of these initiatives could serve as a milestone in making politics unprofitable and oriented towards public welfare. Making politics unprofitable is not merely a reform, but it is a revolutionary step towards reshaping Bangladesh’s social and cultural fabric. The collective efforts of politicians, administrators and citizens are crucial to achieving this vision. When politics becomes a true vehicle for public service, Bangladesh will witness the blossoming of good governance, transparency and democratic values. When politics is driven solely by public service, good governance, transparency and democratic values will also thrive in Bangladesh. The path ahead is challenging but not insurmountable.

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The writer is a freelance columnist and can be reached at [email protected]