Photo : Messenger
All eyes, both local and international, are now fixed on Sunday's (tomorrow) parliamentary polls in the country, as the Election Commission (EC) gears up to conduct the general elections with promises of a free, fair, and peaceful voting.
However, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the legitimacy of the elections, especially with the boycott by 16 political parties, including the country’s major opposition, the BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party), raising concerns about potential impacts on voter turnout.
The ruling Awami League (AL) has undertaken various initiatives, such as fielding its party leaders as independent candidates, to ensure a satisfactory voter turnout despite the absence of key opposition players. In an unusual move, the Jatiya Party (JP) has joined the polls under the administration of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following an agreement with the ruling Awami League.
This agreement includes the understanding that the AL will not field candidates in 26 parliamentary seats, allowing JP-nominated candidates to secure victories. Despite this arrangement, nearly 30 JP candidates have withdrawn from the race, expressing doubts about the fairness of Sunday's polls.
The ruling AL is under pressure to make the elections credible and legitimate in the eyes of both local and international observers. BNP, the main opposition, has declared a two-day hartal (general strike) in protest of what it deems a ‘one-sided’ general election.
Civil society members in the country are also backing the BNP's demand for an inclusive poll under a nonpartisan administration. International partners, including the United States and the European Union, have consistently urged the AL-led government to ensure free, fair, and inclusive elections. The United States has reiterated its stance, closely monitoring Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections.
While speaking on the matter, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader expressed confidence in the election's success and voter participation while regretting the absence of the major opposition.
Quader acknowledged that the election could have been more competitive with BNP's participation, but he maintained that, even in their absence, the election remains competitive.
Reports from the foreign press suggest that the election in Bangladesh is at risk of being one-sided due to the major opposition's boycott. Quader countered this perception, stating, "We are not conducting a one-sided election; it is, in fact, a one-sided opposition."
Speaking to the media, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, a member of the BNP’s highest policymaking body standing committee, emphasised that the one-sided seat-sharing election scheduled for January 7 is becoming a subject of mockery and criticism both domestically and internationally.
He criticised the government, accusing it of exacerbating the situation by independently turning the election into a farce and escalating violence day by day. Moyeen Khan expressed dissatisfaction with the government's tactics, including the creation of dummy candidates and parties, highlighting that it has now extended its efforts to forcefully generate dummy voters.
When reached for comment, Jahangir Kabir Nanak, a presidium member of the Awami League (AL), stated, "The elections scheduled for Sunday will be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner and will gain acceptance both locally and internationally as the polls will be competitive with a satisfactory voter turnout."
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen disclosed that 60 out of 127 foreign observers have already arrived in Dhaka, with 73 foreign journalists having received accreditations. Momen emphasised the importance of these observers in determining the credibility of the elections.
In an interview with The Daily Messenger, Professor Bashir Ahmed from the Government and Politics department at Jahangirnagar University expressed confidence in the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh.
He stated, "The Sunday's general elections in Bangladesh will be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Once the election is completed peacefully with a significant voter turnout, it will be acceptable to all. I believe there will be no questions raised regarding the election's legitimacy once it concludes."
Addressing the potential impact of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) participating in the polls, Professor Ahmed remarked, "If BNP joined the polls, our democracy would be further strengthened. Ongoing development works would be accelerated, and the country could potentially transform into a developed nation by 2041."
As the official broadcast of the 12th parliamentary elections concluded at 8 a.m. on Friday, candidates and supporters engaged in a final push across constituencies to maximise the impact of their campaigns.
The Election Commission (EC) has announced that nationwide voting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, with the government declaring a holiday on election day.
The EC has assured the public of the highest level of preparedness among law enforcement agencies to maintain security during the electoral process. Armed forces have been mobilised to assist in upholding order, although reports of disturbances during the election have emerged from various areas.
Official data from the EC reveals that a total of 1,970 candidates are contesting in 299 constituencies, each represented by unique symbols. The EC has also acknowledged a significant number of notices and complaints filed against candidates for violating electoral rules.
This election has witnessed a record number of candidates receiving warnings, fines, cautions, and disqualifications under the election code of conduct. Allegations of misconduct, threats, assaults, and the tearing down of posters have been levelled against candidates from various political parties, highlighting the contentious nature of the electoral process.
Messenger/Disha
