After a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the scheduling of the upcoming 13th parliamentary elections, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus announced a definitive date for February. This announcement is expected to alleviate any doubts regarding the election timeline. Yunus has directed the Election Commission to finalize all necessary preparations before the start of Ramadan in February. Assuming no disruptions to this schedule, the country is now officially on track for the forthcoming election. The key challenge ahead is to ensure that the electoral process upholds democratic principles.
Some political parties have raised concerns about the need for a fair playing field to allow all parties equal opportunities for participation. This concern is valid, particularly in light of the recent surge in crimes, political violence, and security breaches. Can the government mitigate these issues during the election period?
This task will undoubtedly be arduous. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) recently released a critical report shedding light on the prevailing political and administrative practices in the country. The report highlighted how political parties and the broader political landscape are still influenced by authoritarian practices of the past. Instances of political violence remain widespread, with 121 fatalities and 5,189 injuries reported from clashes between August of the previous year and June of the current year. Extortion by politically affiliated individuals continues to be a prevalent issue. Many have been implicated in orchestrating mob attacks or exploiting legal loopholes to target their opponents. The politicization of state institutions, including the judiciary, persists. Law enforcement agencies have also come under scrutiny for allowing arbitrary detentions and cases, alongside the persistence of various criminal activities.
Given this context, can we trust that all parties, regardless of their size or age, will have a fair chance in the upcoming election? Will the election be shielded from violence and partisan influences? To set a positive precedent for the future, the government must thoroughly assess all institutions and stakeholders involved in the electoral process. It is essential to ensure that everyone operates within legal boundaries without any bias or undue influence.
Encouragingly, the Election Commission and the home ministry have begun finalizing their action plans. The ministry plans to shuffle district commissioners, superintendents of police, upazila nirbahi officers, and officer-in-charge positions through a lottery to reduce administrative biases and expedite recruitment, training, and other preparatory measures. However, equal emphasis should be placed on the pre-election period to guarantee smooth electioneering. The Election Commission must also assert strong control over the entire electoral process.
As the election draws near, it is imperative to rein in politically connected individuals who may misuse their authority, hold law enforcement agencies accountable for any violations of rights or regulations, and restore impartiality across all relevant state bodies.