135 Journalists Warn Bangladesh’s Upcoming Election Will Be ‘One-Sided’ and Unacceptable

Melbourne, February 5: A group of 135 Bangladeshi journalists working in media outlets at home and abroad have issued a joint statement warning that the country’s 13th parliamentary election will be “one-sided” and lack legitimacy due to the absence of major political parties, including the Awami League.

In the statement circulated to the media on Thursday (5 February), the journalists said the election runs contrary to democratic principles and accused the government of failing to demonstrate neutrality in organising the polls. They warned that the election, instead of strengthening democracy, risks pushing the country deeper into political instability. The statement was signed on behalf of the group by US-based journalist Taimur Faruk Tushar.

The journalists said they are “deeply concerned” that Bangladesh’s upcoming national election is neither genuinely participatory nor democratic. They argued that preparing an election by effectively barring major political parties, including the Awami League and several progressive groups, goes against the fundamental spirit of democracy.

As the Awami League is unable to participate in the election, its party symbol, the “Boat,” will not appear on the ballot paper. Referring to this, the journalists said the absence of a symbol preferred by nearly half of the electorate means the people’s mandate will not be reflected in the vote. They warned that such a one-sided election would not bring stability but would instead trigger political and social crises.

Following the mass student–public uprising on 5 August 2024, the Awami League government collapsed. Then Prime Minister and party president Sheikh Hasina, along with senior party leaders, fled the country. Several of them are now facing trials at the International Crimes Tribunal, and Sheikh Hasina has already been sentenced to death in one case.

On 12 May last year, the interim government banned all activities of the Awami League, including its affiliated and associate organisations, until the completion of trials at the International Crimes Tribunal. On the same day, the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration following restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs over alleged involvement in counter-terrorism activities, effectively barring the Awami League from contesting the upcoming parliamentary election.

The journalists said any election held without the participation and opinions of a large section of the population would be incomplete and unacceptable. They noted that past experience has shown such elections waste vast public funds while creating national crises and disorder. According to the statement, one-sided elections fuel social instability and deepen divisions within society.

Raising concerns over the government’s neutrality, the journalists said the interim administration’s commitment to conducting a neutral election has come into question. They alleged that clear administrative bias has been shown towards several pro-government parties and that public funds collected from taxpayers are being used to campaign in favour of a “Yes” vote.

The statement also questioned the neutrality of the Election Commission, claiming it was not formed based on consultations with all political parties. The journalists alleged that appointments of officials responsible for conducting the election were made following the plans of a particular political group, rendering the overall election process questionable.

The 135 signatories warned that holding the election under the current circumstances would push the country towards deeper uncertainty instead of consolidating democracy. In the interest of democracy, political stability and national unity, they made two clear demands: the immediate suspension of the current disputed and one-sided election process, and the organisation of a fresh, credible election with the participation of all political parties and views.

They concluded by saying that only through national unity, dialogue and inclusive participation of all parties can a truly democratic election be held, one that can steer the country towards stability and progress.