Write a composition on The Caretaker Government

The caretaker government means the government formed for the time being to hold a free and acceptable election. This type of caretaker government is formed if the party in power fails to create level ground for the mooth running of polls. This idea also implies the hollowness of the political party governr nt. When the opposition party raises question marks about the neutrality of the ruling party government, the idea of caretaker government comes and that time it needs to be formed. This caretaker government works as an interim government to run the country in a smooth way.

Though the concept of caretaker government is a recent coinage, it has already worked in different countries of the world. This government has successfully arranged fair elections in Namibia in 1990, Pakistan and Cambodia in 1993, El Salvador and South Africa in 1994, Mozambique and Haiti in 1995 etc. It may be referred here that the caretaker governments of these countries ran the elections in spite of some minor errors. This zeal of caretaker government attracts the attention of democratic people in the world.

The importance of caretaker government is felt highly specially in the least developed countries. These countries fail to create an authentic government system. The rule of law and accountability is absent in these countries. Tolerance, patience and selflessness are absent from here. The political parties are involved in their own interests and back-biting forgetting the interest of the people. The party in power ignores all the principles of good governance and sets itself to retain the power by hook or by crook. They try to win the election by manipulation, rigging or other ways. They cannot win the faith of the opposition parties rather they are afraid of them. At that moment, the importance of caretaker government is inevitable. When the state institutions are politicized, they fail to work neutrally and everyone wishes for a neutral government to determine their fate. In fact, it can be said that the politicians' corrupt and selfish mentality accelerates the demand of neutral caretaker government.

Since the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, its government system is passing through sticky paths.

Several times this country experienced military rule. Our political organizations have failed to create neutrality, co-operation, tolerance and self-les ness to each other. Under the auspices and direct influence of government, our institutions have been tainted. They become a prey to the hands of party government. Transparency and accountability are absent. All think for themselves and strong party-feelings are always everywhere. Black money, terrorism and over-spread corruption engulf the total country. Our holy constitution has been altered several times but nothing of this has ensured a free and fair election. The democracy is still a mere child even after 34 years of our independence. The parties themselves are in clashes with one another. 

None believes others. Amidst this situation, the formation of caretaker government is raised in our country. The people have been oppressed at the party government and they ardently wish for a neutral, non-party caretaker government. The practice of caretaker government is also prevailing in our country. After the fall of arbitrary ruler in 1990, a caretaker government was formed led by the then chief justice Shahabuddin Ahmed. He successfully arranged a fair election in 1991. But after a great political unrest and incredible turmoil, the rule of caretaker government was added in our constitution. After this two elections have been held under this government. Now the ninth parliamentary election of our country is going to be held under the neutral leadership of Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed throughout the country.

In fact, absence of mutual faith, partisanship ad neutrality exhorts to create caretaker government. It cannot be a glory for a country. The neutrality of the caretaker government can also be question marked. What we need is mutual understanding and belief. We have to be more and more democratic. But it can definitely be concluded that the idea of caretaker government is accepted by the people of Bangladesh.