Md. Nazirul Hasan Baized, Ashiqur Rahman, Jannatul Ferdous

Election in Bangladesh: Challenges to Conduct Free and Fair Election

Introduction

Election in bangladesh: challenges to conduct free and fair election. Explore challenges to free & fair elections in Bangladesh, analyzing political interference, violence, and institutional flaws. Discover reforms to enhance electoral integrity & strengthen democracy.

Abstract

This paper investigates the impediments to free and fair elections in Bangladesh, examines the effects of electoral violence and partisanship on democracy, and suggests reforms for clean and representative election processes. A descriptive qualitative design and content analysis are used in this study to find and explain typical patterns of electoral malpractices, intimidation of voters, political violence, and institutional bias in Bangladesh's elections. The study finds that deep-seated political interference, electoral violence, and institutional flaws compromise electoral integrity in Bangladesh, particularly the absence of an independent Election Commission. These have diminished voter confidence, opposition boycotts, and democratic regression. To uphold electoral integrity in Bangladesh, the study recommends comprehensive political, legal, and institutional reforms. These include ensuring the independence of the Election Commission (EC), enforcing campaign finance laws, preventing pre-election violence, protecting media freedom, fostering inter-party consensus, and enhancing election monitoring mechanisms. In the future, studies on election governance in similar democracies, the prospects of electronic voting for fraud prevention, and the effect of reforms on democratic consolidation in Bangladesh are envisaged.

Review

This paper tackles a highly relevant and critical issue: the challenges to conducting free and fair elections in Bangladesh. By aiming to identify impediments, assess the impact of electoral violence and partisanship on democracy, and propose reforms, the study positions itself as a timely and important contribution to understanding democratic governance in the region. The abstract effectively conveys the core problem – that deep-seated political interference, violence, and institutional flaws, particularly the compromised independence of the Election Commission, significantly undermine electoral integrity. This central finding provides a compelling explanation for the observed democratic regression and diminished public trust in the electoral process. Methodologically, the use of a descriptive qualitative design and content analysis appears well-suited to uncovering and explaining the typical patterns of electoral malpractices, voter intimidation, political violence, and institutional bias identified in Bangladesh. The clarity with which the study articulates its findings regarding the specific drivers of electoral dysfunction, such as the absence of an independent Election Commission, represents a significant strength. Furthermore, the breadth and specificity of the proposed reforms – encompassing political, legal, and institutional changes including EC independence, campaign finance enforcement, media freedom, and monitoring – demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted solutions required to uphold electoral integrity. While the abstract convincingly outlines the problems and potential solutions, a full review would ideally scrutinize the depth of the qualitative analysis, particularly the sources and robustness of the content analysis used to identify "typical patterns" of malpractices. Given the contentious nature of elections in Bangladesh, the paper's impact could be further amplified by explicit engagement with specific historical or contemporary instances that exemplify these patterns, offering richer empirical grounding. The proposed future research directions on election governance in similar democracies, electronic voting, and the effects of reforms are pertinent and indicate a promising trajectory for continued academic inquiry into this vital area of democratic studies. Overall, this paper offers a valuable and pertinent analysis of a critical issue, laying a strong foundation for future discourse and reform efforts.

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