Road to Reform in Bangladesh

The word “reform” is increasingly resonating across Bangladesh. But who is calling for it? Likely, it’s the interim government, students, and the general public. But what about the political parties?

What Needs Reform?

The call for reform spans multiple areas: the Constitution, representation, judiciary, police, bureaucracy, financial sector, education, health, the Election Commission, and electoral processes.

Who Are the Stakeholders?

Key stakeholders include the interim government, political parties, students, institutions, and professionals from various sectors.

Who Will Lead the Reform?

While the interim government may set the stage, they likely lack the capacity and time to implement comprehensive reforms. Political parties must take an active role, and ideally, lead the reform process.

Why Should Political Parties Lead?

If political parties do not engage in reform, they risk becoming irrelevant in future politics.

How Can Political Parties Participate?

Political parties or coalitions should draft detailed reform proposals even “Boishamya Birodhi Chatra Andolan” can draft their own. This should include problem identification, context, and scientifically validated solutions. These proposals can then be shared for public input and discussed among all stakeholders to build consensus.

Implementing Reform

Once there’s agreement on what needs reforming, the next step is to determine the timeline and responsible parties. A phased approach could be effective:

• Phase One: Before the election
• Phase Two: Shortly after the election
• Phase Three: After the election, over a longer period

This structured approach will help ensure that reforms are both comprehensive and sustainable.

Syfullah Arif
President
Center for Bangladesh Development
Texas, USA