পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).pdf/১৯৬

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বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড
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in accordance with the wishes of the people. Elections are the mechanics for the authorization.

 Concerning the right to elect there are in the main two theories. One theory is based upon the assumption that it is the natural and inherent right of the citizen unless disqualified by reasons of his own conduct or other manifest unfitness. The other view is that it is not an inherent right but a public office of function conferred by the state upon persons who can be considered capable of exercising it for the public good. According to the Constitution Commission the latter view appears to be generally accepted by political scientists today. In any case, it will be seen that the concept of universal adult franchise is a relative new comer on the political stage. In nearly every country the franchise has extended gradually over a period of time. In England, for instance, it will be seen that the extension of the franchise went hand in hand with education.


Literacy and Adult Franchise

 As the Constitution Commission pointed out:

 "The percentage of literacy in our country, according to the recent census, is only fifteen, and the means of spreading information compared to the conditions in England, are very rudimentary indeed. There is a very small percentage of persons who read newspapers and, as regards the interest taken by the people at the time of elections, the figures furnished by the Government of East Pakistan show that, at the last election held in that Province on universal franchise, only 37.2 per cent polled. Figures about West Pakistan are not readily available, but we have no reason to think that the percentage that polled in that Province was larger."

 Under such conditions, about franchise imposes a choice upon people which in many cases they are not in a position to make. Even if the mechanics of election are free and fair the methods adopted by the candidates and their supporters to win these elections are based upon exploitation of the electorates ignorance, and its susceptibility to the demagogue s appeal. It is obvious that opinions upon national issues cannot be formed by individuals, unaware of what is happening outside their own village.

 The Constitution Commission, therefore, suggested that, because of the time required for preparing fresh electoral rolls, the present elections should be held with the Basic Democracies as an electoral college, but for the future they advised that the suffrage should be restricted to those citizens of Pakistan who:

 (a) have attained a standard of literacy, which enables them to read and understand what is published about the candidates so that they may form their own judgment as to their respective merits; or

 (b) possess sufficient property, or stake in the country which would give rise to a keen desire in them to acquaint themselves with the antecedents, and the qualifications of the various candidates, so that they may select the proper representative.