Political divide a cause for concern: Fahmida Khatun
"If the election is flawed, the consequences could be serious and such fears are shared by businesspeople and citizens alike. These uncertainties are already affecting the economy," she says
The political divide created over the July Charter, its implementation order, and the proposed referendum is deeply concerning, said Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Speaking to The Business Standard today (30 October), she said, "Despite the government's reforms and formation of various commissions over the past year, instead of creating unity, these initiatives have led to greater division and uncertainty about the country's stability."
"People are now questioning whether the national election will be held at all. Even if it is, there are doubts about whether it will be credible or flawed. If the election is flawed, the consequences could be serious and such fears are shared by businesspeople and citizens alike. These uncertainties are already affecting the economy," she added.
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The executive director of CPD noted that both domestic and foreign investment have stalled for the past year, while law and order deterioration has disrupted industrial production. "No new employment is being created, and these issues are hurting people's livelihoods. The government must understand this."
Fahmida said the interim government should not have remained in power for such a long time. "The government should have focused on holding elections soon after assuming responsibility. Instead, it spent time forming commissions and discussing so-called reforms that have led nowhere," she observed.
According to Fahmida, the government is making decisions on sensitive issues that require political legitimacy. "Only a politically elected government can make such decisions. After numerous meetings and discussions throughout the year, the current administration has failed to conclude these matters," she said.
She further said whether due to strategy or other reasons, the government has wasted more than a year without implementing any meaningful reforms, which has increased public frustration and anxiety.
"It is now the government's responsibility to end this crisis and hold elections swiftly; otherwise, the economy and people's lives will face an even more alarming situation," Fahmida warned.
