Bangladesh has been advancing toward another non-participatory election since the political clash in Dhaka in October. While many opposition political leaders including high profile leaders are in jail and the opposition has been carrying out political protests including blockades across the country since then, the ruling party is getting prepared for the upcoming elections. According to multiple television channels and newspapers, the Election Commission of Bangladesh — a statutory body responsible for holding elections — may declare the schedule for the 12th parliamentary elections soon. Uncertainty consequently increased in the prospects for the improvement of situations and the resolution of the political problem.
It is notable that non-participatory elections, which have already brought remarkable political and other harm, will bring further consequences in political and other terms in Bangladesh. Opposition parties will probably carry out political programs including subversive activities to realize their political rights for free, fair and credible elections. Contrarily, the ruling party may become more aggressive in controlling opposition parties. Consequently, there can be more political clashes and repression. Additionally, other problems including the political culture of revenge, the might is right based culture of politics and a lack of trust will probably further deepen. Such a potential scenario related to the lack of credible elections is not desired at all after more than fifty years of independence.
To prevent the further deterioration of situations, it is crucial for the 12th parliamentary elections to be free, fair and credible with the participation of all parties including major parties. It is definitely the responsibility of all parties including opposition parties to make elections participatory. But the main problem is the lack of certainty of free and fair elections under the party-in-power government system in Bangladesh, though this system leads to free and fair elections in many countries. According to multiple sources, almost all parliamentary elections under the party-in-power government including the 1988 and 2018 elections were unfree and unfair, while a few elections including the 1996 and 2014 elections, were non-participatory.
The concern of opposition political parties including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party about free, fair and credible elections under the party-in-power system is consequently reasoned in the same way it was reasoned for opposition parties including the Bangladesh Awami League in the 1990s, no matter whether current opposition parties become successful in their movement. The concern of the earlier movement was resolved with the enactment of the Caretaker Government in 1996, which led to more acceptable parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. Definitely, the enacted non-party system, which is the demand of current opposition political parties, is not beyond criticism and led to two controversial elections — the 2001 and 2008 elections.
A participatory and credible 12th parliamentary election is definitely crucial for Bangladesh. But it is imperative to find acceptable solutions with talks, on which Dhaka Opinion Magazine has put emphasis in its several publications. Compromises between the ruling party and the opposition may still help solve the problem and can lead to free, fair and participatory elections. Notably, I would have been in a similar position if the Awami League were in the opposition now. But if the problem of holding free, fair and participatory elections persists, further deterioration of situations in political and other terms is likely in Bangladesh.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
