In a festive ambiance, a journey to cast votes

Today, on Sunday, January 7th, the nationwide twelfth parliamentary election is taking place. The level of enthusiasm and anticipation surrounding a general national election is usually evident, but this election has some distinctive features. This is because the main opposition party, the BNP, and their allies, who have been protesting for the conduct of the national election under a caretaker government, have decided to boycott the twelfth parliamentary election.

Not only that, but they have also declared their intention to resist the national election. As a result, there is a noticeable sense of anxiety and anticipation among the general public regarding the election. On the other hand, the government had no alternative but to proceed with the national election at this time.

Due to constitutional obligations, there was no alternative for the government other than to conduct the twelfth national election within the month of January. Therefore, at any cost, the government had to organize the twelfth national election during this time. Despite this, those participating in the election heated up the political arena with their campaigns and propaganda.

Some election officials are stating that the presence of ordinary voters at the polling centers is somewhat reduced. This is because, with the announcement of the main opposition party BNP and their allied political parties to resist the election, there is a kind of apprehension prevailing among the general voters. While they are somewhat reassured about security, there is still a sense of uncertainty. Although extensive security measures have been taken by the government, the armed forces, including Ansar, police, and members of the BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh), are constantly patrolling around polling centers and their surroundings. They are ready to take prompt action in case of any security lapses or disturbances.

On the evening before the election, I visited several polling centers in the Ramna Thana area and observed that security arrangements were quite robust at each center. No security lapses were noticed both inside and outside the election centers. Outside the centers, the presence of numerous supporters of various political parties, especially the significant presence of supporters of the ruling party, Bangladesh Awami League, was observed.
No reports of any major untoward incidents have been found at any major polling center in the capital; however, the voter turnout was significantly low at all centers. At Moghbazar, Madhubag Sher-e-Bangla centers, the presence of voters was very minimal. Those who are coming to vote are quickly casting their votes and leaving. There is no waiting in line for anyone to cast their vote.

The situation is similar at the Moghbazar BTCL polling center. Abdus Salam, a voter at this center, expresses that the conditions inside the polling center are very favorable. The election officials are actively assisting voters in the voting process. He is a businessman and has come to vote early in the morning with his wife. Since his business establishment is closed today, he plans to stay at home for the entire day. He identifies himself as a supporter of the ruling party. Abdus Salam expresses hope and states that under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League will once again achieve a majority in the election. He believes that the general public supports the developmental initiatives of the current government, which will lead to the Awami League securing power once again.

At 9:00 AM, I visited the Viqarunnisa Noon School polling center on Bailey Road in the capital. There was no visible line in front of the polling center. Many people are coming and quickly casting their votes, intending to return home soon. I had a conversation with Surendra Nath Sahar, who stated that he voted for Bahauddin Nasim, a boat symbol candidate, in this constituency. He is a supporter of the Awami League. He further mentioned that those who support BNP and other parties did not come to vote, resulting in a slightly lower voter turnout.

However, he expresses hope that as the day progresses, the voter turnout may increase. He provides another perspective on the issue of low voter turnout, stating that since Sunday is a day off, and with the weekend holidays on Friday and Saturday, many people have taken advantage of the three-day break to visit their hometowns or travel to various places. This, too, contributes to the lower voter presence.

Mohiuddin Jahirul Haque a retired professor from Habibullah Bahar College, voted at Siddheshwari High School center. He stated that the environment both inside and outside the polling center is very pleasant. It didn't take much time for him to cast his vote. However, he didn't notice any lines of voters outside the center. Regarding the low voter turnout, he mentioned a few possible reasons. He mentioned that since the main opposition party, BNP, boycotted the election, it has influenced the voters. Additionally, there is no significant opposition to the Awami League candidate in this center. Many people have left Dhaka due to the three-day holiday, and due to the winter, voters may not be present at the polling center in the morning. He expressed hope that the voter turnout would increase in the afternoon.

Journalist Salahuddin Rajib voted at the Mugda Ideal Pre-Cadet School center. He mentioned that there wasn't much crowd at the polling center, and the voter presence was very low. However, he suggested that the voter turnout might increase in the afternoon. Abul Kashem Sohag, a journalist residing in the adjacent area of Alim Uddin School center on the 60-foot road in Mirpur's Pirerbag, mentioned that as of 10:15 AM, there was no significant voter presence at their center. It remains uncertain whether the voter turnout will increase as the day progresses.

Senior lawyer Abu Hena Rajjacki, associated with the Supreme Court, who votes at the Madhubag Sher-e-Bangla School center, stated, "I will not go to vote this time because there is no point in going to vote when everyone already knows the result. In such a critical situation, holding an election seems meaningless. Elections are being held in a challenging situation. If there were a participatory and fair election, it would have been auspicious for the nation."

Today, that is, on January 7th, I personally observed several polling centers from 8 AM to 11 AM. No center showed a significant presence of voters. Usually, in our country, long lines of voters are seen waiting well before the start of voting at 8 AM in any election. However, this time, the deviation from that norm has been noted.

Some claim that those who are supposed to fulfill election duties are not present due to the intense cold, and people have not turned up at the polling centers to vote. They express hope that the voter turnout will increase as the day progresses and the weather improves. In this national election, some unusual scenes have been observed regarding the reception of election materials and ballot papers at the polling centers. Typically, on the night before the national election day, election materials, including ballot papers, are sent to the centers. However, this time, while other election materials reached the centers the night before, the ballot papers were sent on the actual election day, that is, on the morning of January 7th.

This has been done primarily in response to the allegation of sealing the ballot papers on the previous night. The atmosphere at the election centers for vote collection was reported to be very satisfactory. During my observation of these centers, no one raised any complaints about any irregularities.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote in the morning at Dhaka City College center, accompanied by her daughter Saima Wazed. She urged the people to set aside all fears and exercise their voting rights. She mentioned that Jamaat and BNP have resorted to creating obstacles in the elections, but the people are aware of their rights. She emphasized that BNP-Jamaat cannot remain silent about their intentions in the elections, and that's why they did not participate in the elections.

Due to various reasons, the twelfth national parliamentary election is especially significant. Although there are 300 parliamentary constituencies in Bangladesh, elections are being held in 299 seats this time. One parliamentary constituency is not having an election now due to the death of a candidate. Later, the election for that seat will be held at a convenient time. There are 44 registered political parties with the Election Commission, and among them, 28 political parties are participating in the election. The largest political party on the ballot is the Bangladesh Awami League, and a total of 16 political parties, including BNP, are abstaining from participating in the election.

BNP along with these political parties has been protesting under the banner of the alliance against the autocratic government for a long time. Not only that, but they have also announced the boycott of the twelfth national parliamentary elections. As a result, the usual enthusiasm for the national elections has diminished in many places. Out of the 265 participants in the upcoming national elections from the Awami League, 170, or 59 percent, are businessmen.

In the upcoming national elections, the total number of voters is 11 crores 96 lakhs 91 thousand 633. Among them, male voters are 6 crores 76 lakhs, and female voters are 5 crores 89 lakhs. There are 849 third gender voters. Among the total voters, 1 crore 54 lakh are new voters. In the 2018 eleventh national parliamentary elections, the number of voters was 10 crores 41 lakhs. In the 2014 tenth national parliamentary elections, the number of voters was 9 crores 11 lakhs.

The twelfth national parliamentary election, taking place today, features a total of 1,970 candidates competing. Among them, the ruling Bangladesh Awami League has 266 candidates, and the Jatiya Party has 265 candidates. Other major parties include the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) with 135 candidates, the National People's Party with 122 candidates, the Bangladesh Congress with 96 candidates, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Movement (BNM) with 56 candidates. A total of 535 candidates from 28 political parties, 436 independents, and the remaining from other parties are participating in the election.

In the current election, 90 female candidates and 79 candidates from ethnic minorities are contesting. The number of independent candidates participating in this election is unprecedented, as such a large number of independent candidates participating in the national election has never been seen before.

A total of 1895 candidates are contesting in the election. The number of contestants has decreased slightly due to some candidates withdrawing from the competition. While the Jatiya Party initially expressed its intention to compete for 283 seats in the current National Parliament, however, several candidates have withdrawn from the competition until the end. Awami League, through negotiation, has allowed the Jatiya Party to contest in 26 seats. Among the independent candidates participating in the election, 269 are contesting outside the Awami League party candidates.

In the current election, many independent candidates are contesting with party permission, even though they did not receive the first-party endorsement. Some political parties, including the BNP, have engaged in movements and struggles with the goal of obstructing the national election. Incidents of violence have already occurred in various parts of the country, where extremists have targeted innocent people, resulting in loss of life.

The most alarming issue is the incidents of arson on passenger trains at various locations related to the election. Those who have orchestrated these acts have not done anything commendable, to say the least. It is the fundamental right of a citizen to decide who will participate in the election and who will cast their vote. While someone can be prohibited from participating in the election, no one has the right to force anyone to participate or refrain from participating in the election.

Author: Retired General Manager, Bangladesh Development Bank Limited and Writer on Economics.