Staff Reporter:
Eminent political scientist and Fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Prof Rounaq Jahan, has said that there is no alternative to elections in Bangladesh and that the people of the country want a credible and fair vote.
She also warned that foreign interference in Bangladesh’s elections is unacceptable and that political parties must not create opportunities for external involvement.
Rounaq made the remarks on Friday while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of an election debate competition organised by Debate for Democracy at the FDC auditorium in the capital
She said there is no uncertainty surrounding the upcoming national election, noting that the public is waiting for a free and fair process.
Referring to the past, she said the last three elections were not widely acceptable. She cautioned that as a major political party is unable to participate in the upcoming election, it may attempt to portray the polls as controversial.
Highlighting key challenges, Rounaq said elections inevitably involve winners and losers, but in Bangladesh, political parties often refuse to accept defeat.
She described the current social environment as increasingly intolerant, which could be unfavourable for the election, and expressed concern over the risk of violence.
To prevent unrest, she urged political parties to act responsibly and called on the Election Commission, administration, and law enforcement agencies to take adequate advance preparations.
She also stressed the importance of continuous civic vigilance to safeguard voting rights.
Presiding over the programme, Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, chairman of Debate for Democracy, said the upcoming election should not merely be about a change of power, but about restoring people’s voting rights, reviving democracy, and establishing a truly representative government.
He emphasised that while political competition and differences of opinion are natural, electoral campaigning must remain logical, factual, and peaceful.
He warned that clashes between supporters of political parties, including recent incidents involving BNP and Jamaat activists, are fuelling political uncertainty and could provide opportunities for both domestic and foreign forces seeking to undermine the election.
Kiron also alleged that activities by neighbouring countries aimed at influencing the political situation in Dhaka could threaten stability and strain people-to-people relations.
The inaugural debate, titled “Democracy Will Be Safeguarded Only If the Upcoming Referendum and Parliamentary Election Are Free and Fair,” saw debaters from Eden Mohila College defeat their counterparts from Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT).
The competition was judged by Prof Abu Mohammad Rais, Rokeya Parveen Jui, Prof Tajul Islam Chowdhury Tuhin, journalist Maidur Rahman Rubel, and journalist Saidur Rahman.
At the end of the programme, trophies, crests, and certificates were awarded to the participating teams.
