On 10 Reasons for General Election in Bangladesh
In July and August of 2024, huge protests broke out across Bangladesh, forcing Sheikh Hasina to leave the country and ending her 15 years of authoritarian rule. Now, Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus is leading a temporary government to help guide the country through this difficult period. Although his team wants to fix many of the country’s long-standing problems through reforms, there’s a strong case for holding national elections first. Elections can bring stability, public trust, and momentum—things that reforms alone can’t achieve. Here are ten strong reasons why Bangladesh needs to hold elections now, with big impacts not just for the country, but for South Asia and the world.
1. Legitimacy and Democratic Mandate
Democracy works best when the people have a say in who leads them. The current temporary government in Bangladesh, even though it may mean well, wasn’t chosen by the people through an election. This makes it harder for it to make big, lasting changes. We’ve seen this happen before—for example, in Egypt after 2011, the unelected government lost public trust and couldn’t carry out reforms, which led to more chaos. In Bangladesh, without public support through an election, the changes Dr. Yunus wants to make might not last or even be followed. Holding a general election would give the new government real authority and the trust it needs to bring people together—something that’s important both for the country itself and how it’s seen by the rest of the world.
2. Stability and Security
Bangladesh has often gone through rough and violent times when changing governments. For example, during the 2014 election, the main opposition party didn’t take part, and there was a lot of violence, showing just how divided the country was. Now, in this current transitional period, similar problems are happening—there have been revenge attacks and community clashes since July 2024, according to local human rights groups. This kind of unrest is not just a problem for Bangladesh—it also affects the wider region, especially neighbouring countries like India and Myanmar, which are dealing with their own security challenges. A properly elected government, with clear public support, could help bring back peace, reduce violence, and calm fears in the region, preventing things from getting worse.
3. Economic Confidence
When politics are unstable, the economy suffers. The World Bank says that a steady government is key for attracting foreign investment. But in Bangladesh, that investment dropped sharply—from $2.9 billion in 2018–2019 to just $1.47 billion in 2022–2023, according to Bangladesh Bank. This shows how recent political troubles have scared off investors. In October 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also lowered Bangladesh’s expected economic growth for 2025 to 4.5%, blaming political problems. Holding elections could help bring back stability, which is especially important for an economy that depends heavily on garment exports and money sent home by workers overseas—worth about $50 billion a year. If the country stays in this uncertain state for too long, it could harm global trade, since many international businesses rely on a stable and productive Bangladesh.
4. International Relations
Bangladesh’s location makes it important on the world stage. It sits between two major powers, India and China, and is dealing with big challenges like the Rohingya refugee crisis and people being forced to move because of climate change. A government that’s been elected by the people would have more confidence and credibility when working with regional groups like SAARC and countries like the United States, which gave $202 million in aid in 2023. The previous government under Hasina also got a $4.7 billion loan from the IMF in early 2023. Having elections would boost Bangladesh’s ability to work on global issues like climate change and security, making its voice stronger in international discussions.
5. Accountability
When leaders aren’t held accountable, corruption tends to grow. In 2023, Transparency International ranked Bangladesh 149th out of 180 countries for corruption, showing how serious the problem was during Hasina’s time in power. Even though the current temporary government wants to make things better, it doesn’t have the checks and balances that come with being elected. Elections force leaders to answer to the people, which helps prevent abuse of power. For example, after the 1991 elections, corruption in Bangladesh dropped for a while because there was more public pressure and oversight. If Bangladesh becomes more transparent and accountable, it could set a good example for other developing countries and push back against authoritarian-style rule.
6. Social Cohesion
Bangladesh is home to a mix of different groups—Bengalis, indigenous peoples, and religious minorities—so it needs a government that includes everyone. Since Hasina left power, there has been a rise in violence, especially against minority communities. Human Rights Watch has reported many such incidents since August 2024. Holding elections would give all groups a chance to be heard and represented, which could help calm tensions before they lead to more serious problems like extremism. This is especially important for neighbouring India, which shares a long border with Bangladesh. Around the world, a peaceful and united Bangladesh would stand as a positive example of how different communities can live together at a time when many countries are struggling with identity-based conflicts.
7. Policy Continuity
Reforms made by a temporary government don’t always last. In the past, between 1996 and 2011, Bangladesh had a caretaker government that brought in some election reforms, but many of those were later cancelled by elected governments. The same thing could happen to Dr. Yunus’s plans to fix education, fight corruption, and improve the justice system if they aren’t backed by a government chosen by the people. On the other hand, under Hasina’s long-term leadership, Bangladesh had steady policies that helped the economy grow by an average of 6.6% each year from 2010 to 2020, according to the World Bank. When Bangladesh has stable policies, it helps build stronger trade and energy ties with other countries in the region. Globally, it also makes Bangladesh a reliable partner in tackling climate issues—like its innovative floating gardens that help communities adapt to flooding.
8. Judicial Independence
During Hasina’s time in power, the justice system became less independent. The U.S. State Department’s 2023 Human Rights Report said the government was interfering in court decisions. A government that’s elected by the people is more likely to fix this and let the courts do their job freely—just like South Africa did after 1994, which helped clear up a lot of delayed cases. For Bangladesh’s 180 million people, having fair and independent courts is key to protecting their rights and making sure laws are followed. In the region, it helps set a good example for legal fairness, and around the world, it shows that democracy can still work, even as many places are drifting toward more authoritarian rule.
9. Media Freedom
A free press is essential to a functioning democracy. According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2024 World Press Freedom Index, Bangladesh is ranked 163rd, highlighting the detentions of journalists under Sheikh Hasina’s government. An interim government, which is mainly focused on overseeing the transition, might not put much effort into protecting media rights. However, an elected government, especially one facing electoral pressure, is more likely to safeguard press freedom, as seen in Indonesia after 1998, when media freedom blossomed. A free press in Bangladesh is crucial for educating citizens, tackling corruption, and strengthening civil society—vital for regional democracy and a global information system that is increasingly under pressure.
10. Civil Society Engagement
Bangladesh’s civil society, including NGOs, students, and unions, played a key role in removing Hasina from power but now faces challenges under the interim government. Elections give these groups more influence by connecting them with elected officials, as seen in 2001 when civil society-backed candidates won important seats. This involvement helps tackle issues like labor rights and climate change. In the region, a strong civil society in Bangladesh drives democratic movements, and globally, it highlights how citizens can push back against populism and drive change.
Conclusion
Dr. Yunus’s interim government has brought hope with its vision for reform, but without a general election, its progress is stalling. The ten reasons—legitimacy, stability, economics, diplomacy, accountability, unity, continuity, justice, media, and civil society—show that elections are essential, not just a delay. For Bangladesh, they are key to building a strong democracy; for South Asia, they ensure stability; and for the world, they represent a chance for democratic renewal in a time of global decline. In 2025, Bangladesh faces a crucial decision. The future depends on the ballot box, with implications that reach far beyond its borders.
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