ELECTION MANIFESTO

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) 11th National Parliament Election 2018

Democracy and the Rule of Law

§  BNP would transform election-day democracy into an everyday exercise.

§  Balance between the executive authority of the President and the Prime Minister would be balanced through necessary constitutional amendment.

§  Provision would be made to the effect that nobody could run as Prime Minister for more than two consecutive terms.

§  Constitutional amendments would be made to the effect that the Prime Minister including the Members of the Cabinet would remain accountable to parliament.

§  Deputy Speaker would be appointed from the opposition.

§  The right of the Members of the Parliament to express independent opinion would be en- sured through necessary amendments to Article 70 of the Constitution.

§  An upper house of the Parliament would be established.

§  The democratic rights of the people to express opinion on any issue of national concern would be reinstated reintroducing the clause of referendum in the Constitution.

§  A significant number of women would be appointed in all constitutional bodies.

§  Jatiya Sangsad would be transformed into the centre point of all national issues;

§  A system of government would be worked out to conduct the national election on a free, fair and accountable basis. The characteristics of a caretaker system of government would be de- cided in the light of the previous controversies and a transparent dialogue would be held with all political parties to reach this objective.

§  A National Commission would be formed to reach a new social contract with a view to es- tablishing a forward looking new stream of political culture as against politics of retribution and alienation.

§  The possibility of the revival of a one-party government would be blocked.

§  Culture of tolerance would be encouraged to prevent objectionable criticism of the national leaders.

§  The functioning of the state administrative machinery, police and institutions would be en- sured on the basis of the honesty, merit, skill, efficiency, patriotism and sense of judgment. There would be no room for personal bias or nepotism.

§  A Ombudsman would be appointed as per the provisions of the Constitution.

§  Accountability of all law enforcement agencies, including RAB, would be ensured. The cur- rent charter and structure of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) would be amended. All civil and defense institutions and agencies would act within the boundaries of their respective charters.

§  All sorts of ‘tadbirs’ (lobbying/reference) and rent seeking in the field of employment (re- cruitment) and admission in educational institutions would be strictly prohibited and be treated as a punishable offence.

§  The age-limit (subject to some conditions) to join government jobs would be raised, except in the case of military, police and Ansar.

§  All information and commission reports related to the BDR Mutiny and Bangladesh Bank Foreign Reserve Heist would be made public and additional investigations would be made as required.

§  Special traffic arrangement would be made so that general masses do not suffer when Presi- dent and the Prime Minister moves.

§  The wealth statement of the Prime Minister, Minister, MP and senior government officials would be made public every year.

§  The unacceptable level of indiscipline in the transport sector would be contained and safety of the road transportation system would be ensured.

§  All sorts of necessary measures would be taken to eradicate corruption.

Judiciary

§  Article 116 of the Constitution would be amended so that the controlling authority over the lower judiciary is transferred from the President to the Supreme Court.

§  Efficient judges would be appointed in order to reduce the number of pending cases.

§  A Judicial Commission would be created to improve and reform the current state of the Ju- diciary.

Freedom of Expression

§  The Freedom of Expression would be ensured. There would be no censorship in criticizing the government. Citizens would be allowed to speak and communicate without fear or re- pression.

§  Digital Security Act and Official Secrets Act and all other black laws would be scrapped. Under the Rights to Information Act there would be no impediments to obtaining any infor- mation.

§  Special Powers Act 1974 would be scrapped.

§  All political leaders would have the right to make constructive criticisms.

Decentralization of Power

§  Implementation of all development projects would be the responsibility of the elected local government.

§  Every year there would be an increase by 5 percent for local government allocations. Thus there would be a 30 percent allocation instead of the existing 5 percent.

§  Zilla Parishad would be elected through a direct voting system.

§  A city government would be established under the Municipality in order to ensure all the services of the Municipality to the citizens.

§  A commission would be appointed in order to restructure the administrative levels of the lo- cal government in order to directly serve the citizens.

Economy

§  The GDP would grow at the rate of 11 percent per annum.

§  The export growth rate would be tripled. The exports would also be diversified.

§  The Boards of the Security and Exchange Commission as well as the nationalized banks would be appointed with honest, qualified and capable personalities. The unwanted experi- ences of the financial scams in the capital market, banks and social welfare funds would be avoided.

§  The banking division in the Ministry of Finance would be dissolved and the entire responsi- bility and authority of the state owned banks would be transferred to Bangladesh Bank.

§  The on-going mega projects would continue and none of the projects would be stopped. However, all the projects would be reviewed for any financial misdeeds and all the people found guilty would be prosecuted as per the law.

§  The projects which were approved in a hurry, during the last two years of the present gov- ernment would be reviewed.

§  All expatriate workers would be provided with work permits in order to bring them under the tax net and stop the act of money laundering.

§  A Task Force would be created to investigate the reasons of the higher costs of the quick rental power plants.

Freedom Fighters

§  All freedom fighters would be given the status of honorary citizens and all corruption related to the identification of freedom fighters would be eradicated. At the same time the pension received by the families of the martyred freedom fighters would be continuously adjusted with the inflation rate.

§  A memorial would be built on all mass graves and other locations related to the War of In- dependence in order to honor and preserve the history.

§  There would be a census to make an authentic list of all martyrs from the War of Independ- ence and they would all receive the state recognition and privileges.

Youth, Women and Children

§  The youth, women and children would be included in the development of the nation.

§  A Youth Parliament would be created to include voices of the youth up to the age of 25.

§  The participation of women in all affairs would be guaranteed. All obstacles to reaching this objective would be eradicated.

§  There would be government patronization to encourage women athletes.

§  Laws would be enforced strictly in order to stop harassment of women, rape, throwing of ac- id, demanding of dowry, sexual harassment and exploitation of women and children. The laws against child labor would be strictly enforced.

§  There would be incentives and initiatives to set up day care centers by the government and non-government institutions in order to support the career seeking women.

§  Women entrepreneurs would be encouraged and incentivized with the necessary support, low cost loans and income tax waivers.

§  All educated youths, who are unemployed, would be entitled to an unemployment benefits until they become employed or up to one year (whichever is first). All reasonable and logi- cal initiatives would be entitled to receive financial assistance.

§  Women would receive the rightful entitlement to family inheritance and all conflicting laws, if any, would be addressed in this matter.

Education and Employment

§  There would be an allocation of 5 percent of the GDP per annum for education.

§  All higher studies would be knowledge, science and technology based. There would also be emphasized on vocational training and vocational research centers. An internationally rec- ognized university would be set up.

§  There would be a dedicated Television Channel focused on quality education.

§  To be at par with the world as well as to be competitive for international employment, for- eign language programs would be introduced along with Bangla and English.

§  Low cost education loans would be available for the less wealthy families. In this regards a Bank for Education would be created.

§  There would be a scholarship fund which would enable a student to pursue higher studies in specific universities abroad.

§  Student bodies’ elections would be introduced in all universities, including the Dhaka Uni- versity.

§  Madrasa Education would be modernized in a manner so that the curriculum is at par with the needs of the job market.

§  A policy would be created so that Khatib, Imam and Muazzem are compensated in a digni- fied manner at the Upazilla and Ward levels.

§  Legal actions as well as preventive actions would be taken to restore the quality of education which has been negatively affected and deteriorated due the leaks of question papers.

§  There is would be no VAT on education expenses for students.

§  All legal cases against the students, who participated in the protest against VAT, for reform ofthe Quota as well as Road Safety would be dropped. These victims would also be given compensation.

§  There would be reserved seats in all government and non-government education institutes for meritorious students who are not as wealthy. PCS and JCS exams would be abolished.

§  Two hundred thousand (200,000) government jobs would be created with in the first 3 years in a transparent and fair manner.

§  Young couples and entrepreneurs would be entitled to 20 years loans in order to help them become self-dependent.

§  Ten million new jobs would be created in the next 5 years

§  All educated youths, who are unemployed, would be entitled to an unemployment benefits until they become employed or upto one year (whichever is first). All reasonable and logical initiatives would be entitled to receive financial assistance.

Energy

§  The old and dilapidated power plants would be modernized and upgraded. Dependency on local gas and furnace oil would be reduced. With the intention to resolving the power crisis in a sustainable manner as well as to reducing the carbon foot print, small, medium and large environmental friendly power plants would be developed. Additionally renewable energy like solar energy, bio gas, geo thermal, wave radiation and waste to energy plants would be developed and encouraged.

§  Large power plants, hydro dams and gas exploration would be developed and if required would be based on the public private partnership model.

§  There would be no price hike of electricity and gas with in the first year in office.

§  Electricity and gas prices would be rationalized.

Information and Communication Technology

§  All unreasonable obstacles to repatriating revenue based on ICT services would be abol- ished. A global payment gateway would be established in order to support the freelancers and outsourcing agents.

§  Nationwide Telecommunication and Transmission Network (NTTN), Internet Service Pro- vider (ISP) and International Internet Gateway (IIG) would be made more competitive by offering more licenses

§  Research and Investment in the fields of Augmented reality, animation and robotics would be encouraged. A Start UP Fund, IT Innovation Fund and Venture Capital would be created to encourage the use of ICT in solving most of the domestic problems.

§  Attention would be given to a Cloud based Enterprise Application built to facilitate E Gov- ernance with in the first 5 years.

§  VOIP would be regularized and made to be more competitive.

§  Intellectual Property Rights would be protected. All companies seeking international con- tracts would be assisted and encouraged. At the same time all local companies would be en- couraged to use locally developed software.

§  All universities would have an IT incubator as well as research laboratories.

§  Infrastructure would be developed in order to add more speed and to lower costs for both Mobile Data as well as Broadband Data.

§  All taxes would be waived for all IT related accessories and hardware.

§  All metropolitan areas, municipalities and administrative centers would be turned into smart cities, smart municipalities and smart villages and smart campuses.

Sports and Culture

§  Planning and strategies would be developed to ensure that Bangladesh achieves a respectful place in various sports competitions.

§  In order to achieve the international quality of skills, every district would have a sports complex.

§  Activities which negatively affect our culture would be discouraged. Free thinking and dem- ocratic ideologies would be spread thought the cultural activities.

Foreign and Expatriates Welfare

§  A better governance system would be created to extend the foreign workers contracts and ensure safer working environment.

§  Required amounts of exchange houses / banks would be created to ensure that all expatriate workers and remit their hard earned income back him in a swift and low cost manner. All Bangladesh embassies would be directed to provide better services to the expatriate Bangla- deshis abroad.

§  All sorts of harassment at the airport would be stopped. Welfare projects would be created for all expatriate workers who return from abroad.

§  All expatriate Bangladeshi’s would be eligible to vote and become a part of the country’s governing process. All Bangladeshi’s who are stuck or find themselves in dangerous situa- tions would be provided with all sorts of consular support as well as financial support to en- sure their safe return.

Agriculture and Industry

§  Value addition and subsidies would be considered while ensuring that the farmers receive a fair price for their crops.

§  A national farmer’s database for every Union Parishad would be created on the basis of an open discussion. In order to assist the farmer against adverse conditions there would be an introduction of crop insurance, animal insurance, fish insurance and poultry insurance.

§  Poor farmers and victims of natural disasters would have their interest waived from the loans.

§  A minimum wage of Tk. 12,000 per month for garments workers would be implemented within two years.

§  Multi storied buildings would be created for garments and other industry labors.

§  There would be a minimum labor wage for all labor industries.

§  There would be reasonable profit margin for all agricultural produce and the calculation of the finalprice would set by local cooperatives.

§  Day labor and farm labors are entitled to low cost rations in both the cities and the villages.

§  Agricultural subsidy would be increased for fertilizer and seeds.

§  All leases on the water bodies would be terminated and made open for use for the lower in- come people and fisherman.

§  No hawkers or slum dwellers would be evicted without rehabilitation first.

§  Health insurance coverage would be provided for all labors at a set premium rate.

§  All food would be free of chemicals within one year.

Health and Medical Service

§  Five (5) percent of the GDP would be spent every year on the health care sector. The price of medicine would be set after considering a reasonable profit for the manufacturer, dealer and retailer.

§  A National Accreditation Council would be created in consultation with doctors and medical faculty with the objective to increase the quality of health care services.

§  Specially privileged children and aged people would receive special medical care.

§  A great share of expense is towards the diagnostic centers. In this situation numerous diag- nostic booths would be created.

§  Actions would be taken to reduce the risk of diabetes in children and address the stunting of children.

Defense and Police

§  A capable, honest, efficient, talented, accountable and modern administration would be  built.

§  Recruitments would be done based on merits.

§  Freedom Fighters Children, Women and Ethnic minorities would keep their Quota and the rest would be abolished.

§  A new Civil Service Act would be based on the Constitution and the need of the present day.

§  Military hardware and equipment would be purchased on a priority basis.

§  Welfare projects would be created for the members of the Military.

§  Housing would be created all members and ranks of the Armed Forces.

§  A reasonable and similar rationing system would be created for all retired military officials.

§  Risk allowance for the Police Force would be increased.

§  Special task would be taken to professionalize the police.

§  BNP would take special endeavors to ensure the participation of the police in the UN Peace keeping mission.

§  Welfare projects would be created for the police.

§  Salaries of the Inspector and Sub Inspectors of the police would be upgraded within 6 months. In addition after retirement a police officer would be entitled to rations.

Housing, Pension Fund and Creation of Rationing

§  The financial safety benefits for destitute women, widows and elderly would be increased in accordance to the prevailing inflation rates.

§  Necessary laws would be created to allow the creation of pension funds for private and self- dependent individuals.

§  Rationing would be introduced for the individuals living below the poverty line.

Environment

§  To combat the hazards of climate change, sustainable mitigation and adaptation strategies would be adopted.

§  Appropriate measures would be taken to protect the forest and biodiversity across the coun- try including the Sundarbans.

§  Intensive afforestation programmes would be taken throughout the country including the coastal areas.

Foreign Affairs

§  BNP is firmly committed to uphold independence, sovereignty and dignity of Bangladesh. BNP believes that across the border Bangladesh has friends and no masters. The foreign pol- icy would be decided in line with the national interest of Bangladesh.

§  BNP would not interfere into the internal affairs of any nation and nor would give any space for creating security threats to another nation.

§  Strong resistance would be made if any country interferes into the internal affairs of Bangla- desh and poses any threat to her state security.

§  Special friendly relations would be strengthened with the countries within the Muslim Um- mah and with all neighbouring countries.

§  Strong bilateral and multi-lateral initiatives would be taken for safe repatriation of the Roh- ingya refugees, who have taken shelter in Bangladesh, to their own homeland.

§  Active initiatives would be taken to work with the United Nations and European Union, while initiatives would be taken for better integration with organizations like SAARC, BIMSTEC, BCIM and BBIN.

§  Bangladesh looks forward to positively working with all initiatives such as BRI and Indo- Pacific Strategic Initiative and other such initiatives.

§  Connectivity between Bangladesh and other countries would be increased which would lead to the connectivity between the people of Bangladesh and the people of West Bengal, Bihar, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nepal, Bhutan and Yunnan.

§  Initiative would be taken for dialogues in the spirit of regional and mutual co-operation for sharing of water of the International rivers flowing through Bangladesh as per International river law.

Ethnic and Religious Minorities

§  Right to life, property and social dignity of the minority and ethnic nationalities living in the hills and the plains would be fully protected.

§  Rights to employment and all the facilities in acquiring education of the ethnic nationalities living in the hills and plains, and the developmental activities in the Hill Tracts would be further strengthened.

§  A separate Ministry for Religious Minority Affairs would be created.

We believe that in this electoral process the people of Bangladesh would be victorious. With the Spirit of the Month of Victory, the people of Bangladesh would unite to free themselves from this authoritarian regime. Let our lives brighten.

Allah Hafez. Bangladesh Zindabad. Desh Netri Begum Khaleda Zia Zindabad.