Has country's democracy been freed from danger?

The twelfth national parliamentary election has concluded, sparking extensive discussions. Opinions on the outcome of this election vary among people of different classes and professions. There is a heightened interest in Bangladesh's election compared to previous ones, even among foreign observers. The widespread enthusiasm surrounding this election has now come to an end. However, various analyses and discussions on this election are ongoing.

The country's other major political party, the BNP, not participating in this year's election, has not brought any significant surprise. The election results have unfolded in a manner consistent with previous trends, as was anticipated based on constitutional continuity or rule preservation

The few political parties outside Awami League participated in the elections on the basis of compromise, the results of the elections revealed their deplorable condition. The members of the 14-party alliance led by the ruling Awami League did not achieve victory in four out of the six constituencies where they contested under the boat symbol.

Only Rashed Khan Menon and Rezaul Karim Tansen won. Chairman of Bangladesh Kalyan Party Major General (retd) Syed Mirhamad Ibrahim Birpratik has won. The seats of the Jatiya party have reduced to 11. Among the prominent leaders who faced defeat are Anwar Hossain Manju, Chairman of Jatiya Party, Hasanul Haq Inu of JASAD, Fazle Hossain Badsha, Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury, Taimur Alam Khandaker, Kader Siddique, Sherifa Kader, Shamim Haider Patwari, Mashiur Rahman Ranga, and experienced leaders like Major General (Retired) Akhtaruzzaman.

Despite having the party symbol and support, several ministers could not secure victory. Among them are the Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali, the Minister of Disaster Management and Relief Dr. Enamur Rahman, and former Minister Dr. Murad Hasan. The popular singer Momtaz Meher Afroze Chumki, Awami League's cultural affairs editor Asim Kumar Ukil, Awami League's Central Committee's publicity and publication secretary Abdus Subhan, alias Golap, and the editor of the Liberation War-related publications, Mrinal Kanti Das, have all faced defeat. On the flip side, Independent candidates aligned with the Awami League have secured a record 62 seats. In the history of Bangladesh, independent candidates have never won such a large number of seats before.

The voter turnout in this year's election is not particularly encouraging. According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout rate is 41.8 percent. However, there are doubts and uncertainties regarding this figure. In our country, there is a trend of increasing voter turnout. However, in the twelfth election, the most significant limitation in terms of participation is observed from the side of the Awami League and its allies. The BNP and its associated parties did not participate.

In the recent election, 28 registered political parties participated in the contest literally. Out of the 298 seats declared through a non-governmental process, only candidates from five parties emerged victorious. The winning parties are Awami League, Jatiya Party, Workers Party, JASOD, and Kalyan Party.
The remaining 23 parties could not secure victory for any of their candidates. According to the constitution, we conduct elections every five years consecutively. This process is present in all democratic countries worldwide, where the transfer of power can take place through elections, leading to a change in leadership.

However, due to the decision of the BNP and its allied parties not to participate, there was little possibility of such developments in this election. Awami League and its allies, being the sole participants, seem to have experienced a sort of reaffirmation of power in this election due to their exclusive involvement.

BNP has once again boycotted the election. Several other parties, including Jamaat, have joined BNP in this decision. Through various means and strategies, BNP has attempted to disrupt the democratic process of elections in different ways. They have announced a series of continuous strikes, general strikes, non-cooperation, etc. They have discouraged voters from going to the polling centers. A train in the capital was set on fire just two days before the election. In this incident, at least four people were burned to death.

This incident has raised suspicions towards the opposition because spreading fear and terror among voters can create a sense of insecurity, and if polling centers are left empty due to this fear, the opposition can claim that the election is not being conducted fairly. This provides an opportunity for them to allege that a proper election is not taking place and make demands for the annulment of the votes. The theoretical claims of a democratic government could be put to the test. However, their dream of achieving that has not been fulfilled.

Despite some decrease, voters have still gone to the polling centers to cast their votes. Where Awami League had independent candidates, there were festivities and intense competition in those areas during the elections. The international community's attention and interest in the recent election were noteworthy. Various reasons contributed to this, and not only India but also countries like China, the United States, Russia, and even European nations demonstrated considerable interest and concern.

The leadership of BNP had hoped to garner support from a faction within the American administration. A section opposing Sheikh Hasina in the American administration has consistently stated that Sheikh Hasina has violated human rights, leading to rampant corruption and a lack of democracy. Such statements have revitalized the leadership of BNP.

However, this time Sheikh Hasina has actively confronted BNP, aligning herself with Dr. Yunus and gaining support from the United States.
Since 2007, anti-Hasina forces have wanted Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus to be the head of the caretaker government. But this effort of BNP and opposition was not successful.

Sheikh Hasina's uncompromising role has worked behind this. When various levels of American officials came to Dhaka frequently before the polls and started monitoring, Sheikh Hasina did not compromise with the country's sovereign interests.


Notably, there has been a close relationship between Dr. Yunus and a faction of the U.S. administration. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was a close friend and classmate of Dr. Yunus. She has consistently supported Dr. Yunus. She has expressed opposition to Sheikh Hasina's administration.

When allegations of misconduct against Dr. Yunus surfaced, some Nobel laureates called for an investigation into those allegations. Hillary Clinton, until then, publicly supported Dr. Yunus and his work, even tweeting her endorsement. There exists a close relationship between the Hillary Clinton Foundation and Yunus's Grameen Bank.

Current US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US National Security Advisor Jack Sullivan were Hillary's subordinates in the past. Although neither the White House nor the Pentagon, therefore, a section of the State Department took an anti-Hasina position.

Due to its impact, the United States issues a cautionary note about imposing visa restrictions on Bangladesh if the elections are not free and peaceful. The influence and response under the current Democratic administration of Hillary Clinton differ from the Republican era of Trump.

In the current election, Sheikh Hasina has proven her political acumen. She recognizes that Bangladesh's progress is not possible without economic interdependence with the United States, as the country relies on economic ties with America.

If they issue a visa restriction, it will pose a significant threat. Because Bangladesh's remittance is much higher in the United States and Europe compared to India.

Therefore, Hasina criticized the US guardianship in Parliament, but kept open other ways of maintaining goodwill. She has engaged very strategically with intelligence in the geopolitical maneuvers with the United States. She is making efforts to navigate through these challenges with a strong hand.

Through the twelfth election, the power of the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina has become even more unchallenged and unmitigated. The only question remains, has the country's democracy become crisis-free?

Author: Columnist