Upcoming election basically a search for opposition party: M Sakhawat Hussain
Sakhawat Hussain noted that participating parties seem more focused on securing seats from the ruling party than engaging in meaningful competition.
The 12th national polls in Bangladesh is more of a search for an opposition than a genuine electoral process, according to former election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain.
Speaking at a discussion titled "Bangladesh at a crossroad: Election, Economy and External Relation" on Wednesday, he predicted that this election would signal the end of the existing political system and the demise of multi-party politics.
Sakhawat Hussain noted that participating parties seem more focused on securing seats from the ruling party than engaging in meaningful competition.
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The discussion, organised by Centre for Governance Studies at a city hotel, brought together esteemed members of Bangladeshi civil society, economists, representatives from foreign missions, embassies, and international organisations.
During the discussion, Sakhawat Hussain highlighted the evolving definitions of elections, emphasising that inclusivity should involve political parties capable of challenging the ruling party, not just voter participation.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, likened the upcoming election to a "special electoral operation," emphasising the loss of political legitimacy despite maintaining constitutional legitimacy in recent polls.
"Participating parties seem more focused on securing seats from the ruling party than engaging in meaningful competition."
Former cabinet secretary Ali Imam Majumder lamented the lack of inclusive elections for the new generation and expressed concerns about the opposition BNP's ineffectiveness. He cautioned that the political gap could be exploited by radical elements, creating a perilous situation in Bangladesh.
Apart from the election politics, the country's financial situation was also discussed at the event.
Dr Ahsan H Mansur, executive director of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh, criticised the development narrative in Bangladesh, noting stagnation and decline in economic indicators.
He highlighted the inflation of certain indicators like GDP, emphasising the need to address economic challenges post-election.
Former foreign secretary Md Touhid Hossain questioned the reliability of food security statistics and raised concerns about the impact of potential Western sanctions on the purchasing power of women employed in the Ready-Made Garment sector.
Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, expressed concerns about the erosion of state institutions, emphasising the loss of accountability and effectiveness.
He underscored the economic vulnerability of Bangladesh, overly reliant on the RMG sector, and emphasised the need for political reforms to address economic challenges.
