Fair polls futile without major reforms: Speakers tell Shujan event, raise alarms about ‘security vacuum’

Politicians, academics and civil society members yesterday warned that a fair election alone cannot ensure a democratic transition without major structural reforms.

At a dialogue, they also raised concerns about a “security vacuum” and the risk posed by unrecovered weapons.

Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan) organised the divisional dialogue titled “Expectation of the July Mass Uprising, Reforms and Election Manifestos” at the CIRDAP Auditorium in the capital.

Presenting the keynote, Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said without far-reaching reforms, any future elected government could again turn authoritarian.

He stressed the need for an active Election Commission, an end to the influence of money in elections, and a neutral media. 

Badiul further demanded strict accountability of law enforcement agencies to prevent extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. 

He said the Anti-Corruption Commission should be made a constitutional body and political parties must practise internal democracy.

Former BNP lawmaker Nilufar Chowdhury Moni questioned the possibility of a “historic election” when 1,335 government weapons looted after August 5 remain unrecovered.

“If these weapons are distributed across 300 constituencies, that would mean nearly five military-grade weapons per seat. This is a serious threat,” she said.

She criticised law enforcement agencies for acting as “spectators” during recent incidents of mob violence.

She also pointed out that only 65 women are contesting the election, despite women making up nearly half of the electorate.

Sakib Anwar of Nagorik Oikya, referring to recent attacks on media outlets and cultural institutions, said, “On that night, and the following day when Udichi was set on fire, Bangladesh effectively functioned as a government-less state.”

He warned that similar inaction on election day would render reform discussions meaningless.

Senior journalist Abu Sayeed Khan described mob violence as the biggest challenge to the election. 

He criticised the government for using soft terms such as “pressure groups” instead of clearly condemning mobs. “The government’s silence is leading the public to suspect their complicity.” 

He also said reform proposals failed to adequately address economic inequality.

Professor Rashed Al Titumir said voters cannot make informed choices without “credible alternatives”, which he said have been lacking since 2008. 

He criticised the Election Commission for failing to develop a policy against disinformation. 

He also stressed that policy-making should remain the responsibility of elected representatives, not bureaucrats.

Dhaka University Professor Jasim Uddin called for a complete overhaul of the education system in election manifestos, urging a shift from certificate-based education to skills development.

NCP Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar said the usual festive election atmosphere is absent with only 29 days left before the polls, adding that public doubt remains over whether the election will take place.

He also criticised the local administration, claiming “joint operations” are being weaponised to arrest innocent people based on political lists while known criminals find shelter within major parties.

Gonoforum General Secretary Mizanur Rahman said the interim administration has failed to control money and muscle power, warning that without strict accountability, the country could revert to the old system.

Hasan Al Mamun of Gono Odhikar Parishad cited scholar Sirajul Islam to argue that the culture of “lathial” or muscle-power politics is driven by a lack of economic opportunities. 

Creating sustainable employment is the only way to replace the politics of violence with a moral society, he added. 

Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, demanded a separate ministry for indigenous peoples and called for special measures to uplift marginalised communities.

Jamaat-e-Islami Dhaka City South Nayeb-e-Ameer Helal Uddin, Gono Odhikar Parishad Senior Vice President Faruk Hasan, and Bangladesh Socialist Party (Marxist) Chief Coordinator Masud Rana also spoke, among others.