7 Jan polls flawed on 7 big counts
Staff Reporter :
The European Union (EU) has reported that the 12th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh in 2024 did not meet several key international democratic standards.
According to the comprehensive report by the EU Election Expert Team, the elections on January 7 saw restrictions on civil and political rights essential for a competitive election.
The report outlines that the political activities of opposition parties were significantly hampered through widespread arrests and judicial actions.
It also critiqued the electoral process, suggesting that the distribution of parliamentary seats and the presence of dummy candidates limited the voters’ ability to freely exercise their voting rights.
Concerns were raised about the freedom of speech and the environment for mass media and civil society, indicating that conditions were not conducive for their active participation in the electoral process.
Although the elections were conducted within the constitutional framework, the report highlighted an extremely polarized environment, exacerbated by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies boycotting the elections due to allegations of electoral irregularities, leading to a lack of genuine competition.
The report detailed the opposition’s calls for the government’s resignation and the conduct of elections under a caretaker government, a demand that was not met.
It documented a significant intensification of protests by opposition parties on October 28, 2023, and a subsequent deterioration in the civic and political climate following the arrest of BNP leaders, severely restricting their ability to conduct political activities.
Allegations of electoral malpractices, such as ballot stuffing and attempts at rigging, were made to the Election Commission. While immediate action led to the suspension of voting in 25 polling centers, comprehensive investigations into other incidents were deemed inadequate.
The report noted a stark disparity in voter turnout, with the final rate published by the Election Commission being 41.8%, indicating a broad imbalance across the country.
According to official results, the Awami League secured 223 seats, independent candidates won 62 seats, and the National Party obtained 11 seats, with two additional parties securing one seat each through seat-sharing agreements.
The EU report concluded with recommendations for improving electoral processes. These include a thorough review of all laws and regulations related to parliamentary representation to align with international standards and enhance democratic election integrity.
It suggested that the appointment of the Bangladesh Election Commission Board should prioritize competence and independence, and called for a revision of the Cyber Security Act of 2023 and the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Act of 2016 to reduce restrictions on civil society.
Additionally, it recommended enhanced security measures to ensure the integrity of voting and counting, including a complete ban on political activities near polling centers.
