Politics in 2025: National election to be main challenge

Amidst the ongoing instability, the country has started its journey in 2025 with the possibility of new political polarisation and the desire for elections and reforms. Except for Jamaat-e-Islami, all political parties are increasing pressure on the interim government for early elections with a specific roadmap. One of the country’s top political parties, BNP and its like-minded parties and alliances are demanding early elections after completing the necessary reforms. Civil society is also increasing pressure on the issue of reforms.

Although the interim government has announced a possible date for the elections, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee are creating pressure and organising various programmes centring the 'Proclamation of July Revolution'. Many political analysts apprehend that the political environment in the new year will be heated due to these issues.

Political party leaders and activists say that the unity of all the protesting parties, including students, on the issue of the fall of the Awami League government during the July-August mass uprising remained intact until a few days after August 5. But that unity has been cracked centring the issues like reforms and elections. In this turbulent situation, they are also concerned about how and on what basis political polarisation will take shape or where the country will go.

In this situation, political analysts say that it will take a long time to implement all the necessary reforms. Therefore, the reforms (basic reforms) that cannot be ignored should at least be completed and elections should be held. And in this case, political consensus is needed first and foremost.

What political parties say

For the past few days, BNP leaders have been arguing that political unity has not been completely destroyed yet. On the issue of not allowing any autocratic government in the country again, the stand of all political parties is the same.

BNP Vice Chairman Dr Asaduzzaman Ripon said, “Maintaining political unity in 2025 will be the first test for everyone. This unity lies in the consensus of all parties over the issues of 'July Revolution Proclamation’, reforms, amending or revising the constitution and above all, early elections.”

Commenting on some problems in maintaining political unity, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said at a programme in Dinajpur, “We took part in the liberation war in 1971. We were also present in the war for democracy. The war democracy is over. But now, we have failed in the war to maintain unity.”

A central leader of the Jubo Dal said, “The leaders of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement contacted BNP over the 'July Revolution Proclamation' on December 31, but the party did not agree to it. BNP policymakers believe that wrong steps can create anarchy in the country. Again, there is no consensus among the political parties on the issue of the constitution. BNP has also made a clear statement on this issue.”

He said, “BNP, known as a liberal political party, is working on various fronts including reforms, elections and maintaining unity. Various committees have also been formed. Those with experience in relevant fields have been appointed as the heads of these committees. There is a separate committee for the party's organisational activities and preparation for the elections. Members of the party's standing committee have been endowed with the responsibility of communicating with like-minded parties to maintain political unity. Standing committee members Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Vice Chairman Barkat Ullah Bulu are also holding regular meetings.”

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, president of Nagorik Oikya, believes that holding fair elections in the shortest possible time is the main political challenge of 2025.

According to him, this requires tight control and activation of the law enforcement agencies, activation of the neutral field administration, strengthening the activities of the Election Commission, and preparation of an accurate voter list.

Manna said, "Everything must be done through consensus. We have to change the country, change the system of government. But it must be done in accordance with the law. In an acceptable election, everyone should be able to vote, everyone should accept it, and based on the results of that vote, we can build democracy."

Jatiya Party Secretary General and former state minister for labour and employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu said, "The Jatiya Party is going through a difficult time as a political party. The Jatiya Party also joined the anti-discrimination movement to ensure freedom of speech and right to politics. Today, political activities of the country's third largest political party are being hindered. However, in addition to organising the party, the Jatiya Party will once again stand tall and reflect the aspirations of the public by examining public opinion and determining the future strategy."

He, however, consider elections, reforms (within the party and at the state level), empowering law enforcement agencies (so that the elections are fair) and the impartial management of the Election Commission as the main challenges of politics in 2025.

Former President of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Mujahidul Islam Selim sees the future of Bangladesh from a slightly different perspective.

He advocates the formation of a united alliance or united front of leftist, progressive and liberal political parties to create an anti-discrimination environment and ensure the rights of all citizens.

“This new united front will be formed by excluding the political parties that have enjoyed power since independence - BNP, Awami League, Jatiya Party and Jamaat,” he said.

He said, “The deterioration of law and order which will create obstacles in organising fair elections, and creating political unity for the implementation of fair elections and reforms will be the main and national political challenge of the new year.”

Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM) Chairman Bobby Hajjaj said, “The fact is that there is not a lot of difference in the political consensus surrounding the elections. There was different opinions about the elections. But now everyone wants quick elections.”

“The real challenge of 2025 is to change the system that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has built in the last sixteen and a half years and to hold acceptable elections,” he said.

Bangladesh Liberal Democratic Party (BLDP) Chairman Shahadat Hossain Selim also mentioned fair election as the main challenge and said, "It will not be acceptable if the elections are delayed to form a king's party. Everyone has the right to do politics. But it is not desirable to make the elections questionable for the sake of the king's party."

Jamaat-e-Islami central executive council member Advocate Matiur Rahman Akand said, "2025 will be the year of restoring the status of the judiciary. We will have to make necessary amendments to the constitution, remove administrative officials appointed in the administration during Sheikh Hasina's tenure and appoint patriotic officials, and make necessary amendments to the EC before we can hold fair elections."

"But first of all, political consensus is needed. After independence, political parties have made various statements blaming each other at various times. However, there was no problem in reaching a consensus for the country's needs. It happened in 1990 during Ershad's tenure and in 2001. So, I firmly believe that there will be no problem in forgetting the minor issues and reaching a consensus this time too," he commented.

Matiur Rahman Akand said, "There is no alternative to this political consensus to lead the country on the path of progress through fair elections. Otherwise, the people will also have to suffer."

Unity is the solution, say analysts also

Political scientist Professor Gias Uddin Mollah said, “The way the Awami League and BNP have run the country for a long time has created a crisis of public trust in politics and political leadership. The interim government came into being to fill up a political vacuum. It is difficult to overcome the political complexity. The truth is that politics is no longer limited to political parties and local leaders. If political parties are to gain public support, they will have to change the character of politics, and they will also have to understand the change in the mentality of the people. If they are to regain public trust, political parties will have to go against their character and come to a consensus.”

Dr Amena Mohsin, a lecturer in the International Relations Department at Dhaka University, said, "Looking at the developments, it seems that this year is going to be very eventful politically. There are various internal challenges, especially on the issue of reform. And to overcome them, everyone's patience, tolerance and restraint are very important."

Political scientist Professor Dr Dilara Chowdhury also sees no other way out of the political instability in the country except through political consensus.

She said, "Unity must be achieved over changing the political culture, elections, and the areas of reform. This unity is very necessary for implementing reforms. We have also seen disagreements over the 'July Revolution Proclamation'. This should not have happened. The proclamation was made even after the French Revolution in the 18th century, which has been the path to development in that country. They even added this 'Revolution Proclamation' to the constitution. That too was possible because of consensus. They did not have to throw away the constitution."

Professor Dr Dilara said, "There are many paths. If there is a will, there is a way. We have to see first if there is a will or not. If there is, the political parties will be able to stand in unity based on issues. It is only a matter of time. But to build a progressive, self-reliant, anti-discrimination country, to move the country forward free from external pressure, establishing political consensus is the only way out at this moment. Otherwise, we will have to plunge back into the darkness of the past."