[🇧🇩] Forming Election Commission/Conducting Elections

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G Bangladesh Defense Forum
Short Summary: Monitoring the activities of interim govt. to hold national election.

Elections without reforms may lead to dictatorship again: Badiul Alam
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 01 Mar 2025, 15: 55

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Shujan holds a human chain at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on 1 March, 2025.Prothom Alo

Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar has laid emphasis on carrying out reforms prior to elections, saying that an election without proper reforms may lead to a reemergence of dictatorship.

He made the statement while addressing a human chain at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Saturday, organised by the civil society platform.

He clarified that the movement was not merely intended to topple Sheikh Hasina; rather it was for changing the dictatorial system and reforming its systems, processes, and institutions. “The dictatorial system had turned Sheikh Hasina into a monster.”

The Shujan secretary further explained that Sheikh Hasina did not emerge as an autocrat out of nowhere. She became it through a systematic process.

“This system needs to be reformed. For a free and fair election, the political sphere needs cleansing. Otherwise, dictatorship will emerge again. Let no ugly person enter this beautiful building of Louis Kahn.” he cautioned.

No foreign aid at Shujan

Addressing allegations that Sujan received funding from the US government to strengthen the political situation in Bangladesh, Badiul Alam dismissed the claims as baseless.

“This is completely false. Sujan is not a registered organisation and therefore cannot receive any foreign aid. It operates with assistance from various individuals," he said.

He described the information on US funding as ‘deep fake news,’ saying, “It does not have minimum substance. The dictator's allies are spreading this disinformation to create controversy.”​
 

Holding polls this year may be difficult
Says Nahid citing security concerns

National Citizen Party leader Nahid Islam said the interim government has been unable to fully ensure public safety, and holding a general election this year will be difficult.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted last August in the wake of mass student-led protests. The interim government, headed by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus, said this month that the election could be held by the end of 2025.

"In the past seven months, we all expected the policing system, law and order to be restored through short-term reforms. It has happened to an extent, but not up to our expectations," said Nahid.

"In the current law and order situation and policing system, I don't think it is possible to hold a national election," the 26-year-old said in his first interview as NCP head at his government-provided villa in Dhaka.

Nahid, who was until recently an adviser to the interim government, is the first politician of significance to cast doubt on Yunus' timeframe for an election.

Political analysts believe his youth-led party could significantly reshape national politics, dominated for decades by Hasina's Awami League party and her rival, former prime minister Khaleda Zia's BNP.

Those parties have demanded early elections, arguing that power should be returned to a democratically elected government.

Nahid said the NCP, which was formed just last week, would be ready for the polls whenever they are held.

However, he added that before elections can be held, it would be crucial to reach a consensus on the so-called "Proclamation of the July Revolution" -- a charter that the interim government plans to prepare in consultations with political parties and student activists.

The document is intended to reflect the aspirations of the Bangladeshi people and honour the people who died in last year's violence. Student protestors dropped calls for changes to the constitution after the interim government said it would prepare the proclamation.

"If we can reach that consensus within a month, we can call for elections immediately. But if it takes more time, the election should be deferred," he added.

Many affluent people across Bangladesh are helping finance the party, said Nahid, adding that it will soon look to crowdfunding for a new office and creating a fund for the election.​
 
অস্থিরতার কারণে এ বছর নির্বাচন আয়োজন কঠিন হতে পারে: রয়টার্সকে নাহিদ

 

Election possible in December if political parties agree to minor reforms, says Yunus
bdnews24.com
Published :
Mar 06, 2025 23:16
Updated :
Mar 06, 2025 23:16

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The next general election could take place within December if political parties agree to hold it with minor reforms, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has said.

If the reform process is extended, the polls may be delayed by another six months, he added.

The interim prime minister discussed the timing of the parliamentary election during a meeting with former United States diplomats William B Milam and Jon Danilowicz at the State Guest House Jamuna on Thursday.

The talks also covered Bangladesh-US relations, the Rohingya crisis and the impact of dwindling international aid for refugees, efforts to recover large sums of money laundered under the previous administration, and the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, or SAARC.

Yunus-led interim administration took charge with a pledge to reform the state following the ouster of the Awami League government through mass uprising.

The reform commissions formed by the government have already submitted their recommendations, which are now being discussed with political parties.

“The political parties will sign the July Charter after completing dialogues on the six commissions' recommended reforms. This charter will guide us forward,” the chief advisor said.

He added that the caretaker administration would implement some of the charter’s recommendations while the rest would be carried out by the next elected government.

The chief advisor’s press wing said the meeting with Milam, president of Right to Freedom, and Danilowicz, its executive director, lasted nearly an hour.

Milam served as the US ambassador to Bangladesh in the early 1990s, while Danilowicz was the deputy chief of mission at the US embassies in Dhaka.

Milam praised the interim government’s reform initiatives.

The envoy said the July Uprising had created an opportunity for major reforms and paved the way for true democracy to flourish in Bangladesh.

Danilowicz stressed the importance of presenting positive developments in Bangladesh and countering misinformation and fake news.

Both diplomats discussed plans to expand Right to Freedom’s activities in Bangladesh and expressed the organisation’s interest in supporting the country’s democratic transition.

Yunus appreciated their efforts and the organisation’s work in upholding human rights and democratic values.​
 

Parliamentary polls should come first to hand over power to people: Rizvi
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 07 Mar 2025, 19: 28

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Ruhul Kabir Rizvi speaks at a programme in Rajshahi on 7 March, 2025. Prothom Alo

The senior joint secretary general of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, has reiterated that parliamentary elections should be prioritised over local government polls in order to hand over power to the people.

He made the statement while addressing a courtesy meeting and prayer programme for the families of the July uprising martyrs from Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj on Friday.

An organisation called ‘We Are BNP Family’ organised the programme on the Shaheed Minar premises of Bhuban Mohan Park in Rajshahi.

“The national parliamentary elections need to be held first, and the local government elections should follow. Reform is an ongoing process. It will continue... so that no form of fascism emerges in the future,” he said. “If a father is not born, how will he have a child? The national parliamentary polls need to be held first to hand over power to the people.”

Questioning the ongoing reform process, Rizvi said, “Those who are now talking about reforms, can you please say how many days are required to carry them out? The police should act according to the law and refrain from entertaining any influential individuals. It must be established that institutions will run as per the law. How many days are required for this?”

He slammed what he called the government's dilly-dallying attitude toward holding elections, despite providing a clear election timeline. “Why this dilly-dallying approach for the election? The government itself specified a month for the election, saying polls might be held in December. Meanwhile, some people are saying – no, it is difficult to hold an election within this timeframe. It is up to the election commission to hold the election, while the government will assist.”

Criticising India’s role, the BNP leader said, “It surprises me when I often notice that India discusses Bangladesh issues during its trips to America… India discusses Bangladesh issues with the US president. I saw in today’s newspaper that India is discussing Bangladesh with the United Kingdom. Why? Isn’t there a government in Bangladesh? Isn’t it an independent country? It has its own flag and national anthem. You are a neighbouring country, a separate independent nation. Why are you so concerned about Bangladesh? Who has given you the responsibility to discuss Bangladesh with other countries?”
 

US role during 1/11: Prioritising polls over reforms was a ‘great mistake’
Says former diplomat

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Jon Danilowicz

Washington made a "great mistake" during Bangladesh's 2007-08 political crisis by prioritising election timelines over public aspirations and fundamental reforms, said former US diplomat Jon Danilowicz yesterday.

Speaking at a discussion on "Navigating the Dynamics of Bangladesh-US Relations After the Mass Uprising," organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the BIISS Auditorium yesterday, he said the current interim government has taken a more effective approach by fostering national consensus on reform.

Danilowicz, who served as political and economic counsellor at the US embassy in Dhaka from 2007 to 2011, witnessed the military-backed caretaker government's tenure following mass protests against the BNP-Jamaat alliance.

He said the US and other stakeholders focused too heavily on the army's position rather than the demands of the Bangladeshi people.

"I am the first to acknowledge that the United States made great mistakes in the 2007-08 period," he said. "We put too much emphasis on elections and their timeline instead of ensuring lasting political reforms."

The caretaker government had initially pushed for reforms, but once it prioritised holding elections and stepping down, it lost leverage with political parties, he explained. Agreements between the caretaker government and political leaders were made in secret, leaving uncertainty about commitments from figures such as Sheikh Hasina.

"Our perception was that the Awami League and Sheikh Hasina had learned lessons and were committed to reforms," he said. "As history turned out, we were wrong. That miscalculation contributed to the gradual decline, culminating in the summer of 2024."

Danilowicz believes the current interim government, led by Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, has learned from past mistakes and is now pursuing genuine reforms. The US supports this agenda while refraining from setting an arbitrary election date.

Asked about Awami League's participation in the next election, he said, "That decision rests solely with the people of Bangladesh."

On accountability, he stressed that elections alone do not ensure it. "The International Crimes Tribunal process and legal mechanisms are also critical in holding individuals accountable."

Former US ambassador William B Milam also spoke at the event, moderated by CGS Executive Director Zillur Rahman.

Milam reaffirmed Washington's commitment to democracy and human rights in Bangladesh, regardless of which party holds power.

He said that while Donald Trump's foreign policy may have had some deviations, the US generally supports democracies, not autocrats.

Milam said his organisation has been working for five years to raise awareness among the American public about Bangladesh's democratic trajectory and secure funding to continue this effort.

Danilowicz highlighted the lack of accountability among Bangladesh's ruling parties as a major political challenge and warned that the country is facing an "information warfare" threat, much of it originating from India.

He urged Washington to engage with Bangladesh independently rather than viewing it solely through the lens of India.​
 

What’s ahead? How far is the national election?
Mahmudur Rahman Manna
Updated: 12 Mar 2025, 08: 45

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Election Commission logo

It suddenly seems that something new is going to happen in the country’s political situation. Chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus has been saying for some time that the national parliamentary elections will be held by December. The chief adviser initially mentioned this outside the country. Since then, he has been consistently stating this. Almost everyone, including the country's political parties, believed this. Discussions about this had started in villages and even around tea tables. But suddenly, he said the election would be held between December and March.

At that time, environment, forest, and climate change adviser Rizwana Hasan first said that the election would take place between December and June. Shortly after, the new leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), Nahid Islam, said that the election environment had not yet been created in the country. Describing the state of the administration and police, he mentioned that the police were not yet in a condition to hold elections.

During an interview with former US ambassador and president of the US-based human rights organisation Right to Freedom, William B Milam, and former American diplomat, John F Danilowicz, chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus said that there would be discussions with political parties regarding the proposals made by six commissions about reforms.

After the dialogue, the political parties would sign the July Charter. The interim government would implement some of the recommendations from this charter, while the remaining parts would be implemented by the next political government.

Professor Yunus also said that if the political parties agree to fewer reforms before the election, the election could take place in December. Otherwise, the national election would be held by June of the following year.

Doesn't this sound a bit unclear? The July Charter and reforms are certainly not the same thing. But the way the chief adviser is speaking, it seems that if there is national consensus on the July Charter, then later there will be a consensus on reforms. This needs further discussion.

Readers must remember the July Charter or July Proclamation. At that time, it was referred to as a proclamation. The students were very serious about this issue. They were particularly upset that there was no proclamation about the July uprising. Because of this, they blamed the government. In response, the government had said that a proclamation could not be made alone and required consensus, and that it would start discussions with political parties to build that consensus.

The July Charter or Proclamation doesn't just refer to the July Uprising; it’s part of history. Therefore, it has a past, a present, and future directions. Those who were part of the movement say it represents continuity, and this continuity can be traced back from the 1952 language movement up to today. Many, even in the context of India's partition, find the direction for Bangladesh’s history in today's situation. To be more specific, the Proclamation is something that explains the period of turmoil and inspires hope for future building. It is an analysis that instills hope, not a framework for state reform.

At the end of December, student movement coordinators had pressured for a proclamation. They even prepared a draft charter and sent it to political parties and various stakeholders. Readers must recall that at that time, various stakeholders did not show much interest in the students' initiative. It wasn’t because they neglected the students; it was a matter of how they chose to engage with the issue. Since this is a major political question, it needed to be viewed in the broader context of overall politics. Some might agree with the proposed charter, some might agree partially, and others might not agree with the overall concept at all.

State reforms are not synonymous with the charter. Reforms, especially in today’s context, refer to qualitative changes in the constitution and election procedures. This is not the July Uprising’s charter in any sense. The government formed six commissions, which have submitted their reports. These six commissions have created six spreadsheets, where stakeholders can suggest yes/no responses or propose minor changes. There is a scope of ticking or making proposals. The process of these two is different.

Are these two seen as the same? There’s no chance of that. Moreover, if the parties agree to minor reforms, the election could be in December, but if not, it could be postponed until March or June. Doesn’t this statement create confusion about reforms? Is the issue about fewer or more reforms really like this?

Seven months later, the entire nation, based on real experience, now understands the necessary reforms for a good and acceptable election. For example, Nahid Islam, the newly formed political party’s leader, believes that the country’s police force is not at all prepared to conduct a good election. I agree with this. The question is, couldn’t the police have been brought up to that level in the past seven months? Isn’t it possible to do that within these seven months?

The same can be said about the public administration and the election commission. What does reform mean in these contexts? Reform certainly implies a complete overhaul. On the other hand, police could work in a somewhat proactive way, instead of being fully proactive. It seems that those in power right now are not able to think about getting the necessary work done in this manner. That’s why, even after a month of taking office as chief adviser, whatever reforms (?) have been made are being mentioned, but just the other day, he said that reforms hadn’t even started yet.

Has the country paused a bit due to the sudden talk of delaying the election? I think so. After the student-people's struggle against Sheikh Hasina’s heartless fascist rule, which led to victory, the people of this country, even political parties, have respect and sympathy for the students. People are observing the political party formed by the students with great attention, and that’s only normal.

Political parties, of course, will view this new political party as competition. They are carefully analysing the behaviour and statements of this newly formed party from the very beginning, and will continue to do so. It is no secret that chief adviser professor Muhammad Yunus has special feelings for this party and its organisers. They believe that the chief adviser listens especially to them, and they also think the government might provide them with political advantages.

For example, they might need more time to form their party, which could be a reason for the government to delay the election agenda. This might explain why the election has shifted from December to June. If necessary, it could be delayed even further.

The politics of the coming days, therefore, demand deeper observation.

* Mahmudur Rahman Manna is the president of Nagorik Oikya

** This column appeared in the print edition of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten for the English edition by Rabiul Islam​
 

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