My thoughts and opinions | 9th Sep 2024
Bangladesh is now facing a highly contested and unpredictable political environment. At the root of this are consistent assaults on democratic traditions, increased political competition, and general disillusionment among constituents. The general election is around the corner, and with it comes a period of the Democratic balloting process marked by controversial leg-pulling stunts.
A recent trend in democracy
For a long time, the democratic system of Bangladesh has been under considerable stress. However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has maintained a strong position since 2009. People are discussing multiple concerns regarding the decay of democracy, the electoral process, freedom of expression, and judicial independence.
Fire points in Bangladesh’s democratic line
Election malpractice severely marred the 2014 and 2018 elections, according to numerous accusations. These elections were mired in claims of voter intimidation, chaos, and ballot rigging. International observers and opposition parties in the country have expressed concerns about the fairness of these elections.
Crackdown on Opposition: Khaleda Zia’s imprisonment due to her corruption conviction poses a significant challenge for the BNP, the primary opposition party. Many argue that the charges are motivated by political considerations. Opposition activists and journalists routinely encounter numerous forms of repression, including arrests and violence.
Free Speech Impediments: Critics point to the administration’s heavy-handed approach as a real attempt to quell dissent, citing the arrests of journalists, bloggers, and activists under laws like the Digital Security Act. As a result, the administration has come under attack.
Civil Society and Human Rights Issues: Reports of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and police brutality indicate a weakening of civil liberties. Organisations advocating for human rights have expressed concern about the shrinking space allotted to civil society.
Obstacles Against the Temporary Government
Bangladesh has been under interim administration since the recent elections. However, this interim solution faces a number of problems:
Advising the bot on Electoral Credibility and Reform: The most important task is to maintain the election schedule in a free and fair manner. Despite facing opposition and persistent calls for electoral commission reforms from civil society to restore public trust, the administration has persevered.
Political Violence and Unrest: Violent political clashes between the Awami League (AL) and BNP have resulted in nearly two dozen deaths. This has further escalated the situation, as politically led rallies and strikes have occasionally resulted in direct confrontations with the police, casting serious doubt on the legitimacy of free and fair elections.
Public Discontent and Economic Challenges: The economy in Bangladesh necessitates assistance in addressing economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, and the global economic backlash. The public’s discontent with these and other issues has led to a more negative evaluation of financial affairs and governance in general among citizens.
Third-party pressure: Bangladesh is under immense international pressure from the United States of America, Europe, or other human rights organisations to look into its democratic processes and protect straight-forward statements. It’s concerning to consider the potential impact on Bangladesh’s international aid and trade connections if it doesn’t take action.
Upholding Law and Order: The interim government should walk a fine line between maintaining law and order without resorting to overly authoritarian measures that could further alienate public confidence. They have an incentive to respond more carefully, as accusations of authoritarianism will only intensify if the government fails to address protests or activities that the opposition supports.
Conclusion
The future of democracy in Bangladesh hangs by a thread, and the stakes are high. The Harper government must carefully conduct the next elections and implement all necessary changes to address the growing democratic concerns over the past decade. These decisions will be critical for determining Bangladesh’s trajectory. This is highly imperative foIt is crucial for the interim government to address these issues and rebuild trWithout more significant reform, political instability will deepen, and Bangladeshi democratic institutions are weaker.
The instability and the weakening of democratic institutions in Bangladesh are significant issues.