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At the beginning of any selection process we set some criteria based on the job concerned. Criteria are determined based on education, experience, and related work affiliations. Its objective is to ensure that the candidate is qualified for the job concerned and is of maximum benefit to the organization as an employee or individual. The person to be employed by the organization can bring positive contribution and added prestige to the organization. That's why the first question in many job interviews is how the person can move the organization forward – what steps will be taken and a strategic plan to implement them.
All in all, after establishing a determinant, an organization begins its recruitment process. Advertised. Applications are collected. Finally a shortlist of 3 to 5 candidates is drawn up against a post based on selection criteria; Whom the organization calls for interview. The experienced panel interviews the candidates mainly on their thinking, reasoning, behavioral (which are now being defined as soft skills) aptitude. This is how an organization prepares the final list and even the waiting list for a post.
The process described above is completely rule-based. Also, sometimes an organization conducts its recruitment by applying relationship-based, head-hunting (technocrat ministerial recruitment) or mixed methods. Barring some unethical methods or motives, the function of selection process is basically to ensure the ultimate success of the organization by utilizing the maximum utility of the individual.
This process is not only for private institutions. Government institutions also select their candidates in the same way. BCS job recruitment process in Bangladesh is an extreme example. Now let's discuss what kind of methods various organizations use to recruit or elect their members.
A few political parties' websites were searched and their online membership forms were found. Notable among these are Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, National Congress of India, BJP, Aam Admi Party and United States Democratic National and The Republican.
Among them, Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have confirmed the candidate's age (18 years) and that he is not a supporter of any other party or opinion before filling the form. Awami League, BNP, BJP, The Republican and Democratic National ended up just writing 'Join Us' even though the PDF of BJP's form is available to view immediately. In the beginning all the organizations asked only for some general information. For example, name, phone number, email etc. No such form was found in the case of Bangladesh National Party.
A victim's experience with this has to be told. After he filled the Bangladesh Awami League form, he immediately got a message that he would be contacted later. A few months later the person went to the party office and told them that they could not become members in this way. He has to fill up the paper form and submit it. But it has to be collected from the party office of the constituency where the concerned person is a voter. When the person contacted the president of the local committee, he said that distribution of forms is under the jurisdiction of the general secretary. When contacted the general secretary, he said that all the forms have been distributed to the presidents of different wards. No one in the ward has the form. They said that he should contact when the announcement of new membership comes. According to the news, many have collected and submitted the forms at the central office of the party. If this process becomes easier, more ordinary people will be able to join political activities. Organizational activities will become more dynamic if the database of every employee is made using digital methods. It is said that the work of such a database has also started in the party president's office. It needs to be arranged on an urgent basis so that it comes within the reach of people.
Apart from this, those who are members of various committees based on metropolitan, departmental, district or upazila at various times submit their resumes to various leaders. That is why the workshop or conference is held. Leaders come. The committee was formed. But what kind of qualification is required to get a place in that committee remains beyond the grasp of common people. Also, according to Shamsul Huda Commission's policy, there is no application of the provision of thirty-three percent women representatives. Only one woman adorns the post of women affairs secretary in any committee.
Now come to the main point. Selection and nomination process for all MPs of the twelfth parliament; Let's discuss which is the subject of this article. 3362 leaders or candidates of the party applied for the nomination of Awami League in the 300-seat Jatiya Sangsad (Prothma Alo, 26/11/2023). There is no guidance anywhere as to what qualification or experience or disqualification a candidate may or may not apply. The price of the form was 50 thousand rupees. On the face of it, it can be assumed that whoever has money can apply. Even if the candidate's phone number or email is included in the application form, everyone is invited to Ganabhaban through a press release. Without any shortlisting or pre-selection. Hon'ble Prime Minister Party President gave a speech in front of everyone at Ganobhaban. If he does not get the nomination, he takes the opportunity to become a dummy candidate. Before that, the party decided its candidate in a series of parliamentary board meetings – without any direct interview. Strategic planning ability, talent, educational qualification, presentation skills, social and economic development ideas and contemporary soft skills of different sectors of a country do not get a chance to play a role in policy making in Parliament. Although we have seen such an interview of Jatiya Party on television. Bangladesh Awami League can give some such examples to ensure transparency of their selection process to the people. It would be good if you did. It happens in many countries. A debate was held on the candidates. In 2020, we have seen such a live promotion of the candidates for the by-election in Pabna-4 seat. If only such debates or live interviews could be aired to become MPs or get nominated! People used to cast their votes through mobile phone messages. They themselves could participate in the candidate selection process! As the members of the national parliament give speeches on their local problems, development and policies in front of the people, they can practice it before going to the parliament when they face the question and answer session. I believe that if such issues are not included in the party policy, the voters will easily find the best candidate they can accept. The general public will then participate in election-related activities more widely in the hope that their opinions will be valued.
However, in the current context, the general public will not know the criteria by which the Parliamentary Board has done this difficult task of selecting the candidates for the 12th National Assembly elections. But they say that candidates get party nomination because of money, nepotism, family politics, lobbying etc.
According to The Daily Star, the party's general secretary announced the names of the nominated candidates of Awami League in 298 seats (26/11/2023). Among them, some candidates lost their candidature due to the Election Commission's policy. Many believe that applying some of these criteria in the application process will reduce the selection process. Anyway, 3064 people were disqualified from the candidate announcement. They will never know why they were not nominated. In this age of technology several international organizations conduct shortlisting but not direct interviews online. Those who are selected are congratulated. Those who are excluded are also given a letter stating the reasons for exclusion. Bangladesh Awami League can also apply it in member nomination. The entire application process can be digitized. The country can also be saved from the jam caused by the gathering of people from sixty-four districts in Gulistan area. Bangladesh Awami League can implement such smart approach to build digital and smart Bangladesh.
Finally, we come to the selection process of Awami League's women candidates for the newly concluded reserved seats of the 12th National Parliament. Same procedure. This year 1549 candidates bought the form in anticipation of nomination (1553 on the contrary). Again press release of invitation to Ganobhaban. However, this time it was said that the interview of the candidates was called. The party president addressed everyone. He also said that it is not easy to interview fifteen and a half people separately. Apart from the history of the country and the party, Bangabandhu's ideals and sacrifices, attacks on various occasions, torture of workers, etc., he spoke a lot about women's awakening. Even if they don't get the nomination, everyone should be engaged in their work, if not this time, he assured that it will happen next time. At the end, he said that the candidates should stand up after the announcement of the names of the various departments. Finally he thanked everyone. There was entertainment for everyone. And this is how the interview of the candidates at Ganabhaban ended.
It was announced in the evening. Bangladesh Awami League has nominated 48 candidates. What are the selection criteria? unknown However, according to party sources, a large number of women are nominated for parliamentary seats due to the contribution of their fathers or husbands (Protham Alo, 27/1/2024). The origin of this custom may be from the idea that the son of a writer will be a writer, the son of an actor will be an actor, and the son of a leader will be a leader. There is also speculation about who can get nominations in various newspapers or online videos, and why. At different stages of history, it is also believed that women of the family will get priority for playing a special role in party activities or admitting torture. It is not necessary to mention here that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina MP has taken responsibility for many such families. They get monthly allowance. Many have been provided accommodation. He has allocated apartments for them in Dhaka. They are also getting their benefits. In gratitude, they can be engaged in various other activities. But if they want to become MPs, they must have minimum acceptance or many of them have become or will become viral because they can't even look and read. This matter should be kept in consideration to maintain the image of the party. The Prime Minister also announced the appointment of women SPs (Police) under Special Quota (Presidential Quota) on that day (14th February, 2024). However, he has not appointed a woman as his mentor so far. Maybe the 'glass ceiling' is the reason.
The Prime Minister surely wants educated, intelligent, smart, brilliant young, experienced and seasoned politicians and extraordinary personalities to represent the country among his parliamentarians. There are many people in the Parliament who are capable of causing surprise. Today, just as many parents of both daughters raise their children thinking of 'Hasina-Rehana', let this young generation of the apolitical digital age grow up with the dream of 'becoming a politician' in the future. That is why they have shouldered the responsibility of inducting that ideal personality into Parliament. Finally, I humbly request the Prime Minister to make the selection process more up-to-date, transparent and smart!
Smart Parliament, Smart Bangladesh – this is our slogan.
Author: Researcher, Author and Social Worker. Associate Professor, Department of Management, North South University
Note: The published article is the sole opinion of the author and the author is solely responsible for it.
