A Complex Reality
|My thoughts and opinions|
For the last few years, Bangladesh’s democratic credibility has been called into question amid growing concerns of authoritarianism, accusations of election rigging and a clampdown on opposition. The answer to whether democracy has been restored in Bangladesh is not a simple one. The formal structures of democracy, including elections, a parliament, and a judiciary, are still there, but the quality and depth of such institutions have been subjected to major onslaughts. This editorial reflects on the state of democracy in Bangladesh and argues if Bangladesh is following a true democracy.
Contextualising Democracy in Bangladesh History:
The road to democracy for Bangladesh has been bumpy. The country, which gained independence in 1971, was subjected to several military coups and periods of political instability that impeded its democratic progress. The 1990s brought back civilian rule, and successive governments were led by the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). In recent years, though, the political scene has become more of a one-party show as the Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina consolidated power; although this continuity has led to economic growth and social development, it also raised fears about a shrinking democratic space.
Dubious Voting and Credibility Struggles:
The health of Bangladeshi democracy, and indeed most democracies, rests on the credibility of its elections. Self-Report on International A: Analysis of the 2014 and 2018 general elections [1 /2] Accusations Against Irregularities of Voter Suppression Media Manipulation and Opponent Intimidation Allegations of irregularities, such as ballot rigging and blockage of opposition candidates, have been questioned by numerous parties claiming these are not genuine elections. Consequently, though Bangladesh has been having recurrent elections, their transparency and inclusiveness have come in for uninterrupted intense scrutiny.
The elections now to come are expected in early 2024, and they are a critical milestone. Led by the BNP, opposition parties have demanded that elections be held under a neutral caretaker government so the elections can take place freely and fairly. However, the government has resisted this demand, claiming the current system is sufficient for free and fair elections. This apparent further polarisation underscores a more fundamental problem: if agreement as to the method of election itself cannot be achieved, then even perceived legitimacy becomes diluted. These are fundamental to making an election, and they all need to be resolved for Bangladesh to retake its democratic road.
Decline of Political Freedom and Civil Liberties:
Democracy thrives when oppositional voices and dissenting views are present. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has experienced rising repression of political opposition, civil society, and media. For example, the Digital Security Act has faced widespread criticism for limiting free speech. Those who criticise the government — journalists, activists and opposition members- are subject to legal action and sometimes detained. However, narrowing the space for dissent and debate indicates an authoritarian drift inconsistent with democracy.
Besides, opposition leaders, including BNP, have been slapped with numerous cases, raising fear of compromising the judiciary itself. A democratic state is meant to safeguard the interests of all citizens, irrespective of their party loyalties; Bangladesh, however, appears emblematic of a worse kind in urgent need of reform.
Question: Formal or Functional Democratic Institutions?
Bangladesh looks like a democracy with an active parliament, judiciary, and election commission. Yet, questions linger about the true independence and functionality of these institutions. Critically, the Election Commission has often been accused of conducting fair elections, especially its independence from executive intervention, just like the judiciary — which, in theory, is independent of the authorities. Allegations of political influence have done little to foster public confidence about its neutrality.
These institutions must also work independently while being accountable to the people’s will; only then does democracy become real. When institutions have weak credibility, they reduce the country to a democratic facade. If Bangladesh is to be a genuinely democratic state, these institutions need to be strengthened, from the judiciary’s independence to the election commission’s transparency.
The Trade-off Between Economic Growth and Political Freedom:
Frequently, the argument made by the regime and its patrons is that, politically, liberty can be curtailed as a sacrifice in exchange for economic growth and stability. Before elaborating on the situation in Bangladesh, it is worth mentioning that Bangladesh has also achieved significant economic development and poverty reduction, which resulted in some perception that a robust centralised government approach is needed to keep this development momentum running. However, economic growth should not be achieved at the expense of political rights and democratic values. A democratic society may and ought to strive for both objectives. While the gains made under the model of “development over democracy” may be temporary, they come at the cost of undermining or destroying that organic basis for democracy. However, its diplomatic or economic achievements may be existentially unsustainable without ensuring genuine political freedom and accountability, exposing Bangladesh to yet more political crises in the future.
The Path Forward:
Re-establishing democracy in Bangladesh in its original form is conditional, particularly as the country needs to fix systemic issues already experienced, such as transparency of elections, political freedom, and independence of the institutions. In addition to free and fair elections, the path forward entails active civil liberties protection and democratic institution-building. Democracy cannot be accurate in name only; it needs people to take an interest, trust and participate in a functioning government.
Bangladesh approaches the next round of elections at a crossroads. It now has a chance to recommit itself to its democratic values, but that would require a great deal of change and a long step back from repression. Whether the government chooses this route will decide whether Bangladesh can evolve from a “managed democracy” toward one that truly reflects the desires of its people.
In short, there is both positive and negative news regarding Bangladesh’s complex and highly contested democratic status. The skeletal structure of democratic governance exists, but massive steps are required for it to function in the true essence of democracy. The world, and more importantly, all Bangladeshi people, will closely monitor that.