The significance of Thursday’s election could not be overstated. It was peaceful. Voter turnout, at almost 60 percent, is globally acceptable. More importantly, however, Jamaat-e-Islami, which lost the election, has stopped short of rejecting the polls but raised questions about the results saying they were not completely happy with the results. Regardless, Bangladesh has just witnessed a fairly satisfactory election, which could be considered exemplary. And not just in Bangladeshi standards. This election should stand up to any scrutiny. But that was the beginning.
The interim government has done its part as has the Election Commission, and commendably so. Importantly, the law enforcers appeared to act impartially and were able to set the tone the day before. It was clear that no breach of discipline, no violation of electoral code would be tolerated. Barring isolated instances of violence or code violation, it would be unrealistic to expect a better election.
But as was evident, several quarters came together to join hands in this effort where the interim government must have played a central part. Whether or not the interim government provided an able leadership in the election process is immaterial now. This was the first election since 2008, in which people’s vote actually counted. This was an election where people voted without fear or intimidation. This was an election where it was not a done deal. And thus, the interim government has acquitted itself admirably well along with the Election Commission. At the same time, just raised the bar for Tarique Rahman’s BNP.
It will now be up to Tarique’s incoming government to continue this challenging task of rebuilding the institutions that the previous regime had systematically dismantled and destroyed. BNP has its own baggage too. The party would do well to remember that attempts to subvert the democratic process —whether in 1979, 1996 or 2006—did not bode well for the party or its leaders.
He will have demonstrate that his government earnestly believes in an independent and objective Election Commission. This election office will be free to exert its authority on law enforcement agencies, which in turn will be bound to follow their directives. Since these aspects of a government primarily flow from its figurehead, it will be incumbent upon Tarique to believe in integrity and independence of different institutions that ensure the neutrality of the government.
These institutions, like the judiciary, the election office, or the police, take years to build. It is an arduous journey riddled with pitfalls along the way and it is only with the test of time that voters will gradually begin to have faith in the system. It will be years before every citizen will believe that every vote will count. Thursday’s election was a solid first step of a years-long journey. Tarique Rahman’s BNP will lead it. And we will keep watch.
Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/national-election-2026/news/clean-vote-harder-task-ahead-4105341
