Jatiyo Party (JP) is satisfied with the results of 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh. We conveyed our sentiments by congratulating the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) after the election and on the formation of their government.

If the election had not been held, or in case the party in power now did not get the absolute majority in parliament, there was a possibility that the interim government (IG) might have remained in power indefinitely. The way the IG was running the country, we were afraid there could have been famine and civil war. Bangladesh would have emerged as a failed state under the circumstance and ultimately with the consequence of turning itself into a territory controlled by Islamist militant groups.

Now the obvious question comes whether that means we recognize this election to be a good one.According to our assessment, this election was even worse than the imperfect elections of 2018 and 2024.

Based on various information collected from the field, average voter turnout, the total votes shown, irregularities during counting, signs of manipulation in result sheets, the way results were declared, the big difference between total number of votes and the votes counted in referendum ( which was initially almost half compared to total votes),  the apparent fraudulent way that anomaly was tried to be minimized creating more suspicion etc. - considering past experiences in similar circumstances – we conclude  that the election was conducted with the objective of achieving a predetermined result.

Naturally, all possible measures were taken, and best efforts were provided so that the election looks fair and competitive.

BNP not Involved in Irregularities

One interesting exception that may be noted here. Unlike what happened in the past, the winning party was not directly involved in the irregularities. Election was held under the IG. BNP did not have such wide-scale control over the administrative set up to orchestrate such a large-scale manipulative operation.

Under the circumstances, it is difficult to gather documentary evidence.  Given the current situation, how effective the concerned authorities or judiciary would be or could be is a big question. Moreover, JP is not against the outcome. It may be said, the legality of the election will be accepted, ultimately. We believe it is difficult to suppress the truth. Maybe someday in future facts would come out which could tally with what we say now.

Major Drawbacks of Election

Moreover, this election has some major deficiencies for which it cannot be termed as a good election. By definition a good election must be ‘free and fair’.

 ‘Free’ means freely participated by all voters and all political parties. Free includes ‘inclusiveness’. In this election Bangladesh Awami league (BAL), one of the two major political parties, the oldest and with a very colorful past along with some other parties have been denied participation by an administrative order.

The term ‘Fair’ signifies fairness to all the participants. Implies a neutral or unbiased environment and equal opportunities for all participants and participating parties.

To start with, the Election Commission (EC), the constitutional body responsible for conducting the election who can be considered the referee of the contest, was not neutral.  They organized pre-election consultation meetings with the participating parties and invited everybody. The EC did meet more than once with some parties, but did not invite the JP.  Even when JP representatives wanted an appointment to discuss the election, it was refused.  

The Interim Government arranged extensive state protocol and privileges to the government-sponsored party, National Citizen Party (NCP), parties close to IG like Jamaat e Islami (JI) and their alliances, almost as if they were the government themselves. Similar privileges were given to the BNP and its allies. But no such facility was extended to the JP.

Three leaders from the JI alliance and one from BNP were allowed free time on state television before elections. JP was denied a similar opportunity.

Not a Level Playing Field

Many JP leaders and activists were falsely implicated in different criminal cases throughout the country during the IG after the July mass uprising, and they were under threat of arrest and harassment all the time even during elections.

Three JP candidates had to compete from inside jail. They were arrested, denied bail several times, ultimately allowed bail, but were shown arrest in some other cases and were not released from custody. Two of our candidates withdrew from the contest as they, especially their workers, did not want to continue under hostile circumstances from law enforcement agencies.

For nearly one and a half years before the election and even during the election period in some places, the government machinery itself or with their patronage, NCP, JI and BNP party activists obstructed Jatiya Party’s meetings, rallies, and political activities. JP offices were vandalized, leaders were physically assaulted, harassed, and false cases were filed.

Starting from about a year before the election till the end of election the above parties, especially JI spent thousands of crores of taka to influence the election results.

Allegations against the above-mentioned parties were received from different places that voters belonging to minority communities, voters loyal to BAL and in some places voters of JP were threatened with dire consequences if they do not vote for them.

Not a Neutral Environment

Therefore, voters did not have the opportunity to vote in a neutral environment using their judgement freely without any bias for money or fear of retribution. The election was heavily influenced by money and muscle power.

Jatiya Party did not receive equal opportunities or a neutral environment. Instead, it faced repression, violence, and harassment.

In summary, the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh was neither free, fair, inclusive, or conducted in a neutral environment or not influenced by use of money and muscle, where level playing field for all was ensured. Therefore, it cannot be termed a good election. 

(The author is Chairman, Jatiyo Party, Bangladesh. It was founded on 1 January 1986 by then Bangladeshi president Hussain Muhammad Ershad and was the ruling party of the country between 1986 and 1990. Views expressed are entirely personal and not necessarily shared by editors of South Asia Monitor)