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The Kazi Habibul Awal-led Election Commission (EC) is facing a challenge regarding voter turnout in the four-phase Upazila elections. In the 12th national election, nearly 60 percent of voters were absent, raising questions both domestically and internationally about the participatory and competitive nature of the elections.
Even before the upcoming election, concerns have emerged regarding candidate security at the polling stations. One candidate has been kidnapped, and clashes have occurred in many places. Local election experts have expressed concerns that the risk of conflict is higher in local elections than in national ones.
Media reports have already emerged that candidates blessed by ruling party ministers and members of parliament (MPs) are spreading panic at the field level. To avoid conflict, the Awami League has instructed that influential individuals' relatives should not become candidates. A large section has also questioned whether the ruling party has issued unconstitutional directives, as every citizen has the right to participate in voting.
On the other hand, after the major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) announced a boycott and anti-vote campaign, the Awami League also announced that there would be no council committee until the four-phase elections are over. Organisational leaders were instructed to follow all directives to keep voters focused.
Those involved in the election said that although many candidates won in over a hundred upazilas in 2019 despite competition, the situation will be somewhat different this time. There are candidates everywhere. The ruling party itself will be competing. No one will let anyone go. Again, many will not even go to the polling centres. Many will keep themselves hidden for fear of being identified as supporting a particular ideology through open campaigning.
If the BNP-Jamaat engages in anti-vote campaigns, it will have a major negative impact. Amid the political conflict, the EC will face a bigger blow than the national election in upholding democratic beauty through voter presence at the centres.
If violence and voter turnout decline occur in the local elections, which are already questioned internationally for lack of participation, the commission will face multifaceted challenges. This local election is seen as an acid test for both the government and the EC.
According to the EC, votes will be held in 480 Upazila Parishads in four phases this time. On May 8, the first phase will cover 152 upazilas. The second phase on May 21 will cover 166 upazilas. The third phase on April 17 will cover 112 upazilas. The schedule for the fourth phase has not been announced yet, but the EC has said that phase may take place on June 5.
Election expert and Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar told The Daily Messenger, “People did not go to polling centres in the national election, so voter turnout is unlikely to increase in the upazila elections. Bringing voters to the centres will be a challenge for the Election Commission this time. Meanwhile, a major political party in the country, among others, has announced a boycott of the vote. On the other hand, candidates have faced threats at the field level even before the vote. It will be difficult for the Election Commission to hold a participatory, competitive election by excluding one side to avoid conflict and violence.”
“Besides, no one in the country follows the constitution anymore, and nothing happens even if the constitution is not followed. Voting is a right for all citizens, but the ruling party is saying that supporters of MPs and ministers should not participate in the election, which is clearly unconstitutional,” he added.
Former Election Commissioner Begum Kabita Khanam told The Daily Messenger, “Holding the upazila elections properly is undoubtedly a major challenge for the Election Commission.
The former commissioner also said, “Awami League has barred MPs and ministers' relatives from participating to maintain party discipline. So, it does not pose threats in fair voting, although this does not support the constitution.”
Messenger/Disha/Howlader
