Once again, conspiracy theories are thriving in Bangladesh.
it has spiraled since the chief adviser’s firm announcement that the next national election will be held by the first half of February next year. No force on earth can compel the interim government to change its election resolve, vow several government leaders. Yet again, another set of government leaders warns against any plot to foil the election plan.
the main political stakeholders of the election are also issuing warnings against anti-election conspiracies being hatched by forces at home and abroad. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has been in charge of governing the country since August last year, following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. From day one, he has made three promises: reforms, trials, and elections. He emphasizes reforms in the constitution, judiciary, and the Election Commission to make the next polls as free and fair as possible. He has set for himself a big dream: overseeing the country’s freest, fairest, and peaceful election. He has also set in motion the trial of former Awami League ministers, including Sheikh Hasina, on charges of murdering protesters during last year’s student-led mass upsurge. Former police officials of her administration have also been brought to the dock of the International Crimes Tribunal to answer charges of mass murder. Prosecutors expect the trial to be completed with verdicts in some of the high-level cases, especially those against Hasina, who is now living in India. Some progress in the process of trial has been visible, but not so in the efforts at reaching a political consensus on reforming the constitution and the election system. While there has been a general agreement on having an Upper House of the legislature, key political actors – BNP, Jamaat, and NCP – disagree on how it will be elected. BNP stands firm against Jamaat’s stand of getting the Upper House elected through proportional representation (PR) of the votes gained by different political parties. Jamaat is campaigning for the introduction of a PR system in electing the lower and upper houses of the legislature. The consensus commission formed to thrash out the differences is struggling to get its act together. Without any consensus on this issue, the next election seems to be in trouble.
to press for its demands, Jamaat and several other parties have taken to the streets. Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party (NCP), widely seen as a party close to Prof Yunus, is about to get its registration with the Election Commission, but it has vowed protests unless it gets Shapla (water lily) as its chosen election symbol.
it has become a matter of concern as the EC has turned down NCP’s plea, saying Shapla is not even in the EC list of election symbols. The law and order situation is another major concern for the government and other stakeholders of the election. Mob violence is yet to abate.
extortion continues unabated. Political murders have always been an issue in Bangladesh, and it is likely to rise as the election coming closer to the voters’ doorsteps. By an executive order, the interim government has banned all activities of the fallen Awami League and its front or associated bodies.
the party’s registration with the EC has been suspended along with its election symbol, Boat. Despite the ban, activists of AL could manage to bring out lightning processions on the streets and Dhaka and some other cities. Hundreds of arrests have been made in an attempt to stem such protests amid stern warnings from the law-enforcing agencies. Will AL be allowed to take part in the February elections? If not, what happens with the supporters/voters of the disgraced party? These and other issues need to be dealt with through politically correct steps from the current administration. No conspiracy theories will work.