Bangladesh Election of 2024: A Progressive Erosion of Democratic Principles?
13 June 2024 . #2406
Lakshmi Parimala. H analyzes the Bangladesh election of 2024 and concludes that the nation is experiencing a progressive erosion of democratic principles.
Introduction
Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary elections on January 7, 2024 initially suggested a well-functioning democracy, but the reality proved otherwise. The main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), decided to boycott the elections after months of protests, calling for the elections to be conducted under a caretaker government. Anticipation surrounding the 2024 elections in Bangladesh was noted in several foreign countries, including the USA, India, China, and Russia. In May 2023, Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State of the USA, introduced a new policy under the Immigration and Nationality Act, granting the US the authority to limit visa issuance for any Bangladeshi individual suspected of undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
Despite these circumstances, the government led by Sheikh Hasina suppressed domestic protests and disregarded foreign concerns. The elections witnessed a historically low turnout of 40 percent, resulting in the Awami League securing a majority and thereby establishing Sheikh Hasina as the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Nevertheless, the democratic landscape in Bangladesh raises pertinent questions, as the elections have been characterized as “cosmetic.” This piece aims to provide insight into the electoral context in Bangladesh, emphasizing a gradual decline in democratic principles.
The aftermath of the election results has triggered extensive debates within the nation, leading citizens and experts to voice concerns about the potential erosion of democratic principles. International organizations have raised alarms regarding the condition of democracy in Bangladesh, advocating for increased transparency and inclusiveness in the electoral process. The government’s management of the opposition’s requests and the quelling of protests has prompted inquiries into political liberties and human rights in the country. Many have raised doubts about the validity of the outcomes, pointing to the opposition party’s abstention and the minimal voter participation as signs of a more profound political dilemma. The global community is keeping a close eye on the post 2024 Bangladesh. This article seeks to explain the election context in Bangladesh, highlighting a concerning decline in democratic principles.
2024 Election
Over the course of several decades, Bangladesh has grappled with a complex political landscape marked by power struggles, allegations of corruption, and challenges to the democratic process. The previously promising electoral system has faced criticism and controversy, giving rise to concerns regarding the fairness and transparency of the election process. Moreover, the roles of various political entities, the influence of external stakeholders, and the impact of socio-economic factors have all contributed to shaping the evolving dynamics of elections in Bangladesh. As a result, the discussion surrounding the 2024 elections in the country is inherently connected to the broader narrative of political transformation and the endeavor to establish a resilient and inclusive democratic framework.
On January 7th, Bangladesh conducted its 12th parliamentary elections. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has successfully secured a fourth consecutive term in the election, with her Awami League party emerging victorious, claiming nearly 75% of the seats in parliament. The official voter turnout amounted to 41.8 percent, a lower figure compared to Bangladesh’s previous contested election. This diminished turnout is perceived by some as an indication that the opposition’s boycott reflected widespread sentiment.
BNP Boycott
The BNP initiated a “one-point movement” in July 2023, advocating for the resignation of Prime Minister Hasina and for the forthcoming elections to be held under a neutral, caretaker government. Nevertheless, the Awami League dismissed this demand. Since the political landscape of Bangladesh has been characterized by a history of military coups, leading to a general atmosphere of distrust between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the fairness of elections, the concept of a caretaker government was established in 1991 and enshrined in the constitution in 1996 through the 13th amendment.
According to this provision, a neutral interim government assumes power at the end of each government’s term, with the exclusive responsibility of conducting elections. As a result of this mechanism, relatively Bangladesh experienced peaceful elections in 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2008, during which the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL) alternately came to power. However, this structure was abolished in 2011 under the government of Sheikh Hasina. Subsequently, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has been advocating for the reinstatement of the caretaker government and, as part of this effort, boycotted the 2014 elections. While the party did participate in the 2018 elections, there were allegations that the elections were manipulated by the Awami League.
Therefore, in advance of the 2024 elections, the BNP organized numerous rallies and marches, exerting pressure on the government to resign. The peaceful protests escalated into violence when, on the 28th of October, BNP called for its first nationwide hartal. In response, the Sheikh Hasina government proceeded to arrest and detain the leaders, close down the party headquarters, and label BNP as a ‘terrorist party’. While the international community, particularly the USA, advocated for dialogue between the parties, Prime Minister Hasina responded by asking, “Is Biden engaging in dialogue with Mr. Trump? The day Biden and Mr. Trump engage in dialogue, so will I.” Conversely, India, China, and Russia implicitly supported the Awami League government by referring to the elections as an ‘internal issue’ of Bangladesh, declining to comment or intervene. Consequently, BNP has once again opted to boycott the elections, providing voters with limited choices.
Awami League’s Strategic Move
In an attempt to make elections look competitive, the Awami League has fielded AL leaders as independents and chose candidates from small parties, referred to as King’s parties, as its contenders. This strategic move has sparked controversy and debate across the political spectrum. Critics argue that such tactics undermine the integrity of the electoral process, and raise concerns about the fairness and transparency of the elections. The decision was heavily criticized by Abdul Moyeen Khan, the BNP Standing Committee member, who raised significant questions about the government’s commitment to upholding the democratic principles of the nation. He stated termed the government as “of the dummy, by the dummy, for the dummy.” This move has led to heightened tensions within the political landscape, with various stakeholders expressing their concerns about the potential impact on the credibility of the election results. As the election season unfolds, the implications of such strategies are likely to be closely scrutinized by both domestic and international observers, adding a new layer of complexity to an already contentious electoral environment.
Cosmetic Election?
Owing to the boycott by the main opposition party, BNP, and the nomination of ‘convenient rivals’ by the Awami League, the outcome of the elections was predetermined even before a single vote was cast (Bhattacharjee, 2023). This process left the voters with limited alternatives, essentially choosing between Awami League or Awami League-backed candidates. Consequently, these elections were labeled as ‘cosmetic’ as they appeared to be democratic in form but lacked substance. The government’s aim was to stimulate voter turnout by creating the illusion of competitiveness. However, the voter turnout was only 40 percent, marking one of the lowest levels in three decades. While India, China, and Russia have extended congratulations to PM Hasina on her electoral victory and expressed their commitment to strengthening relationships, the US and the UK have remarked that the elections were not conducted freely and fairly.
Conclusion
With this election, Sheikh Hasina assumed office as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the fourth consecutive term, marking her as the longest-serving Prime Minister of the country and the longest-serving female head of state. However, the electoral process since 2008 has faced frequent criticism from both domestic and international entities due to instances of violence, human rights violations, and unfair practices such as ballot box stuffing and vote rigging. Bangladesh has been experiencing a regression in its democratic values, gravitating towards an authoritarian electoral system. Throughout Bangladesh’s electoral history, mutual distrust between the two primary political parties has often hindered the holding of free and fair elections. This atmosphere has led to protests, rallies, and boycotts by opposition parties, ultimately depriving citizens of their right to freely choose their leaders.
And indirectly undermining the democratic process can have significant and far-reaching consequences that affect the fundamental structure of Bangladeshi society. When individuals and groups face barriers to participating in the democratic system, the collective voice of the populace can be unjustly marginalized. It is crucial to address the underlying political challenges so that the Awami League and BNP can work together to establish a fairer and more inclusive democratic framework for the advancement of the nation’s future.
Lakshmi Parimala. H is a Post-Graduate Student at the Department of International Studies in Stella Maris College (Autonomous), Chennai, India.
Views expressed are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CHSIA.