Election without Awami League may raise questions on inclusiveness: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has assessed the recently held 13th National Parliamentary Election as 'fair to an acceptable degree and competitive'. However, the organisation's Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman commented that questions may arise in the future regarding how inclusive the election was, given that the Awami League remained outside the electoral process.

The observation based on analysis of the election process and candidates' affidavits was presented at a press conference held at TIB's office in Dhanmondi on Monday, February 16.

The organisation stated that although there was a comparatively competitive environment at the beginning of the election, the influence of old political culture became evident over time. Conflicts between parties and alliances, unhealthy competition and tendencies towards violence increased, which have continued in the post-election period.

TIB reported that in 21.4 per cent of the 70 constituencies selected through random sampling for field-level research, evidence of one or more instances of fake voting was found. Additionally, information on 125 incidents of post-election violence emerged in the organisation's observation.

TIB said the Election Commission was active in organising a free, impartial and peaceful election. However, effective application of the powers vested in the Commission to prevent political conflicts, code of conduct violations and irregularities was not possible in many cases. The organisation claimed that 99 per cent of candidates violated one or more of the 58 provisions of the code of conduct. Widespread irregularities in online and offline campaigning were also mentioned in the report.

Responding to questions about 'election engineering' at the press conference, Iftekharuzzaman said there may have been some influence or planning behind the scenes, but TIB's observation did not find evidence of specific engineering. In his words, the election was comparatively fair, acceptable and competitive.

In response to a question about how inclusive the election was with the Awami League kept out, he said many Awami League leaders and activists at the grassroots level voted under various symbols. However, as the party did not formally participate in the election, the question of inclusiveness may come forward further.

The report also highlighted loan-related matters concerning several elected BNP candidates. On this, Iftekharuzzaman said being indebted and being a loan defaulter are not the same; according to law, those concerned are not loan defaulters.

TIB's observation is being considered significant in political circles. While the election has been termed acceptable on one hand, the raising of questions about structural limitations, code of conduct violations and inclusiveness on the other indicates the necessity for discussion on future electoral reforms.

The use of money, religion, muscle power and patriarchal influence in the competition has increased compared to before. It was also noted that the use of money and religion in particular was widely observed in the election.