Taj Hashmi
Toronto
24 December, 2023
Dear CEC Habibul Awal:
I’m concerned about writing to you today. I understand the Chief Election Commissioner’s role is paramount in ensuring accessible, fair, inclusive, and transparent elections. As such, please consider my plea for the betterment of the electoral process in Bangladesh.
You have announced that the 12th General Elections of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh will take place on January 7, 2024, and have permitted the contestants to the Parliament to start their campaign from December 18, 2023. These two decisions are highly significant and crucial for the country and its people, and the outcomes will heavily impact you personally regarding the credibility and acceptance of the results both domestically and internationally.
During a recent interview with the Bengali Service of the Voice of America, you made it clear that you were committed and determined to conduct the upcoming elections in a manner that would be free and fair. You emphasized that you would not be influenced, intimidated, or pressured in any way to act contrary to this commitment. You have made it abundantly clear that you will follow the terms of reference outlined in the Constitution, i.e. it’s not within the Commission’s purview to urge political parties to either contest or refrain from contesting in the elections. You also stated in the VOA interview that you wouldn’t tolerate any activities aimed at preventing the elections from taking place. The people of Bangladesh thank you for clarifying your position loudly.
Despite the aforementioned, it’s important to remember that every citizen of this country has a fundamental constitutional right to freely exercise their right to vote without fear or intimidation to elect their representatives to the Parliament. Now, it’s solely your responsibility to protect this right. However, as you’re aware, many opposition political parties, including the largest BNP, have boycotted the January 2024 elections. They believe the conditions aren’t favourable for conducting free, fair and impartial polls. The conduct of the past two elections serves as evidence to support their concerns.
As concerned citizens, we would like to bring to your attention the issues that you need to take a look at:
a)As the Chief Election Commissioner, you have to uphold the Constitution, which requires you to be impartial, independent, and free from any pressure, intimidation, or influence from the government in power or any other domestic or external source. Your responsibility is to make sure that the elections are conducted fairly, transparently, and without controversy or doubts.
b)As the Chief Election Commissioner, Mr Awal, you have an important responsibility to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. While you have stated that your mandate doesn’t allow you to withhold or suspend elections because of some major political parties’ non-participation, we urge you to consider whether you genuinely believe that the forthcoming polls will be free and fair under the present circumstances. The entire nation and the outside world know that the upcoming elections will likely be farcical and stage-managed “one party” elections by the current regime, using their power to ensure a favourable outcome for themselves. We ask you to reflect on this and follow your conscience in ensuring the election process is conducted fairly and transparently.
c) Please ask yourself once again whether it would be fair on your part to supervise the upcoming January 7, 2024 elections. These elections are expected to be farcical and thoroughly rigged, as in 2014 and 2018. By allowing the elections, you may be the architect of great injustice and wrongdoing, betraying the people and the Constitution. Please be honest if you would like to respond.
d) Based on your statements during the VOA interview, we hope you’re a person of integrity. If this is indeed the case, we implore you to avoid being involved in any actions that may bring shame and disrespect to the solemn promise you have made. I want to remind you that we only have one life to live, and it’s important to live it with dignity and honour. I urge you to consider this seriously, especially since you bear the immense responsibility of making decisions that will affect the democratic process of our country and the free will of the people of Bangladesh to elect their representatives to the Parliament.
e) Finally, if you are unable to change the current situation, we strongly encourage you to announce your resignation from your current position immediately. By doing so, Mr Awal, you will earn a permanent place in history as a man who stood up for democracy, truth, and justice, rising above all obstacles and individuals. I advise you not to be a traitor to your nation. The decision is yours to make!
I trust that my appeal will receive the necessary attention and action to ensure the integrity of the democratic system in Bangladesh. I look forward to your response and thank you for taking the time to read this.
Sincerely,
Taj Hashmi, PhD, FRAS
Bangladeshi-Canadian
Retired Professor of History,Islam, & Security Studies
APCSS, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
Email; tajhashmi@gmail.com
Tel 1+ 647 447 2609
