As Bangladesh moves closer to its final stage of campaigning ahead of its national parliament election and referendum, the political tension in the country is escalating in a rapid manner. With just four days to go, questions over the credibility of the polls are taking centre stage, after five professional organisations jointly called for a boycott, citing the absence of conditions needed for a free and fair election.
Call for vote boycott ahead of polls
The Awami League, led by ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been barred from participating in the election. Parties such as the BNP, Jamaat, and NCP have been campaigning across Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina has already termed the election “undemocratic” and called for a boycott.
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Echoing that demand, five professional bodies have issued a joint statement signed by 1,675 individuals, including 136 journalists, 111 doctors, 262 engineers, 401 agriculturists, and 765 lawyers. They alleged that Bangladesh currently lacks the minimum political, legal, institutional, and security environment necessary to conduct an acceptable, participatory, free, fair, and credible election.
According to the statement, the upcoming polls risk becoming a “planned political farce” rather than a democratic process. It also warns that proceeding with the election could push the country toward long-term instability and international isolation. Concerns have additionally been raised over the security of minorities in the other Bengal.
Demand for dissolution of Yunus-led Government
The joint statement further proposes dissolving the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus and forming a neutral interim government comprising representatives from all parties. It also calls for the release of political prisoners and the withdrawal of cases filed for political purposes following the formation of such a government.
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The signatories reiterated that without these steps, holding the election would undermine democratic legitimacy rather than strengthen it.
