Pretending to be choosers?

Azad Miah, Oldham, UK
Would someone kindly explain to us why we are holding this very expensive and dangerous election? The obvious answer is that Bangladesh is a democratic country and we have the power to choose who should run our country. Okay, so far so good. But, if democracy is about having the power to choose your leader, then why have we been stuck with Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina since 1991? Yes, it is possible for a leader to get elected multiple times but only if s/he is exceptionally good. Based on their 17-year performance record, do you think Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina are exceptionally good leaders? This year again Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina have decided that we have to choose between them. But how did the two ladies come to this conclusion? What selection process have they used to prove to us that they are the two most suitable candidates to run our country for the next five years? So I ask you that question again: why are we holding this election if the choice has already been made?