Political tensions continue to simmer, and the climate of public resentment grows while the interim government of Bangladesh comes under increasing pressure from all quarters at home and abroad for early general elections. Since a disputed January 2024 election was boycotted by major opposition parties and widely decried for not being inclusive, there has been no fixed electoral timeline, with most of those who are calling for yet another credible vote agreeing that only new elections can prevent the country from sliding further into political paralysis and unrest.
Pressure from Every Angle
In recent months, civil society organizations, opposition activists and ordinary citizens have stepped up demands for a clear road map for national elections. “Since the parliament is not representative and there is no democratic process, there is a legitimacy vacuum, the political unrest is likely to continue,” notes Assouline, as protests and economic uncertainty heighten concerns over the ability to govern.
These demands have been repeated by international parties such as the United Nations, European Union, and regional powers. Various Western governments have said further delays could leave the country diplomatically isolated and result in development aid being suspended. Human rights campaigners have also raised alarm over the shrinking civic space, the arrest of opposition figures and the use of force against the protesters.
The Cost of Delay
The more the interim government waits for elections, the more it is likely to deepen the fragmentation within Bangladeshi society. Many are worried that if the political standoff drags on, the country could descend into widespread chaos. Strikes and blockades by opposition coalitions have already broken regular life, freezing transportation, education and business activities.
Fear has come from the business community, as well. Investor confidence is ebbing and development plans are upended, amid doubts about who will lead the country in the future. Given the situation, early elections do not only seem like a democratic must, but rather an economic necessity.
The Case for an Early Vote
An early, international-monitored election could provide a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis. It would give the people of Bangladesh the opportunity to elect their representatives freely and fairly and rebuild their trust in the country’s political institutions.
Opponents of the interim government say that, without taking such a step, confidence in the government will be further eroded, and authoritarianism will begin to set in. And a long delay just defers the legitimacy of the vote and encourages yet more civil disobedience, maybe even violence.
Path Forward
In order to escape purgatory, the interim administration faces the necessity to come down decisively and openly against.” This includes:
- There should be a transparent election schedule.
- Guaranteeing the participation of all political parties in dialogue and through legal guarantees.
- Setting up an independent election commission to manage the election.
- Permitting foreign observers to observe the elections.
Without these actions, the worst could lie ahead. Now, Bangladesh with a long democratic tradition finds itself at a crossroads. Whether to hold a free and fair early election may prove the line between revival and protraction of crisis.
As a Dhaka University student activist put it to me, “We are not asking for miracles only to vote, and have our voices heard.
That, ultimately, might be the only path forward.