The election schedule for the 13th Parliamentary elections has already been declared by the Election Commission of Bangladesh, leading to the preparation of political parties for the upcoming elections. This is a good decision and will lead to an elected government in Bangladesh, which observed its 55th National Victory Day two days ago, after around one and a half years of the interim government, formed after the ouster of the then Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) Government in August 2024. But how much the upcoming Parliamentary Elections of Bangladesh — scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026 — will be rendered inclusive and participatory at home and abroad and whether and how much reforms will be implemented remain uncertain.
Almost all political parties are probably going to participate in the elections except the BAL, a leading party that formed the government for the sixth time. There is no indication of the interim government for considering it in the elections. It is definitely difficult to bring the party to the elections for several reasons. The public sentiment against the then-BAL government, which broke down the electoral system and killed many (around 1500) during the mass uprising, the BAL’s virtual absence in politics since the ouster (because of not only the government’s temporary ban on it but also its own absence) and the trial of its leaders including top leaders are some crucial causes that limit the chance of its participation in elections.
But whatever the reasons may be, non-participation of the BAL indicates the continuation of the lack of inclusivity in elections and — more importantly — far-reaching political impacts for Bangladesh, which has been struggling for free, fair and participatory elections since its independence and has encountered several non-participatory elections including the 12th parliamentary elections, due to changes in electoral laws and opposition boycotts. Though the government is changed, the vicious cycle of non-participatory elections is not changed. Moreover, it may not be surprising if such a non-participatory electoral culture continues in the future too, because of political rivalry and the lack of trust among parties, sustaining the politics of revenge.
Moreover, the much talked-about constitutional, administrative, electoral and other reforms have not been realized yet, even if reforms have been finalized through repeated meetings between the National Consensus Commission and political parties for several months. Reforms are the demands of the necessity of change in the existing system that fails to desirably function and the very mass uprising. Without reforms, significant and deserving changes in the existing system are less likely in Bangladesh. No reform also means no respect for the mass uprising, which was carried out against the hegemonic and repressive governance system. But reforms have become conditional, as they have been pushed for a referendum to decide their fate, and remain uncertain, at least somewhat.
Bangladesh needs to improve its system and political culture and, for this, the parliamentary elections are a vital pathway. Under the present political context, it is difficult to include the BAL, but it may still be possible to provide it a scope in the 2026 elections, though whether it deserves electoral participation remains questionable on several reasonable grounds. But relatively acceptable BAL leaders, especially those who were not involved in atrocities during the mass uprisings, money laundering and other serious crimes, may be given a scope, for the sake of improved political culture — especially the culture of participatory elections at least from the government side. But the party also needs to end its subversive activities.
But reforms need to be ensured, no matter which political party forms the next government. Even if ‘No Vote’ wins in the referendum, set for the election day, on the reform proposal and reforms become non-binding as a consequence, they need to be implemented by the next government. For this, political commitment is vital. Without reforms, the existing system will not improve much, though there are promises, and the mass uprising will go in vain.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
