Elections have no link with democracy: Farhad Mazhar

Writer and political philosopher Farhad Mazhar has said that elections have no real connection with democracy, calling the idea “completely misleading.”

Speaking as chief guest at a discussion organised by the Center for Democracy and Peace Studies at the National Press Club on Monday (November 10), Farhad Mazhar said true democracy reflects the collective will and sovereignty of the people, not electoral rituals.

He argued that the existing state structure, formed under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, remains intact like “a monster” and cannot simply be reformed, as suggested by Dr. Yunus.

Mazhar urged for the formation of a new constituent assembly to rebuild the state structure, stating that only through such a body can Bangladesh address constitutional and legal challenges.

He also cautioned that forming a “National Consensus Commission” without people’s mandate lacks legitimacy.

Retired Colonel Hasinur Rahman and others also spoke at the event.