পাতা:বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্র (দ্বিতীয় খণ্ড).pdf/১৪৭

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120 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ দ্বিতীয় খন্ড (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. Election: Direct or Indirect 109. As regards the second question, the main ground on which an indirect election can be justified is that it eliminates, to Some extent, the ignorance of a universal suffrage, by restricting the ultimate choice to a body of select persons possessing a higher average of ability and, consequently, a keener sense of responsibility. The chief objection to this system, however, is that the voter, in the nature of things, will not be satisfied with the right of selecting persons who are to select the representatives instead of himself making the selection. This dissatisfaction, in our opinion, would be keener in the matter of selection, of such an important personage as the head of the state, or his deputy, under the presidential form of government. In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt” which have already been quoted in Chapter III: The presidency "is not merely an administrative office", but, "It is pre-eminently a place of moral leadership"........... We have in the same chapter pointed out the heavy responsibilities that would rest on a President under the presidential form of government in our country. He is, as Herbert Morrison points out, the Head of the State and Prime Minister and Party Leader, all rolled into one. We have also referred to the relief to be given to him in view of the tremendous responsibility he has to bear. That being the position of head of the state under the system of government we are recommending it seems to us absolutely necessary that the election, as far as he and his deputy are concerned, should be direct. When we are adopting a system under which there is going to be only one person at the head of affairs, and that person is going to be the chief executive inextricably connected with the administration that affects the common man. it is necessary that he should command the confidence of the people, and such confidence would, we think, be forthcoming only in a direct election. As the VicePresident is next only to the President, in rank and prestige, and has on occasions to act for him, he should also, we think, be elected directly, and we hold the same view with regard to the legislatures also. We have, in the third chapter, pointed out the important role which the members of the legislature have to play. Further, to reduce the chances of a conflict, between the head of the state and the legislatures, it is desirable that both be elected at the same time and by the same electorate. Therefore, we consider that the President, the Vice-President, the House of the People and the Provincial Assemblies should all be directly elected.