Let me begin this article with a wonderful quote by Sydney J. Harris: “Democracy is the only system that persists in asking the powers that be whether they are the powers that ought to be.” I think the quote is self-explanatory so no use going over it.
Since our childhood we have read “All roads lead to Rome.” But today in Bangladesh all roads are leading to the voting booths. Because, the much awaited 13th National Election is taking place today across the country burying all rumors, ending all speculations and shattering all myths. By the end of the day many dreams will be shattered while some new ones will become reality. In the shade some will cry in silence while some will rejoice out in the sun. By tomorrow it will become clear which plans will work and which will be rejected.
The nation is having a normal election after about 17 years. Based on media reports, the future parliament is likely to look quite interesting as far as demographic structure is concerned, with some elderly MPs on one hand and some young members on the other, sitting across the aisles. Following the 2024 youthful uprising, the upcoming parliament is poised to see an influx of younger candidates, with 23.5 million voters aged between 18 and 28. Some of the members will be there with their wisdom and past experience while the young Turks will be there with raw courage. Together they will endeavor to construct the much hyped New Bangladesh.
However, there is also significant concern regarding the low number of minority candidates this time. Reports indicate much less than 100 Hindu-minority candidates are contesting the election. It is believed some kind of fear is holding them back from coming forward in public. This is not a healthy sign for democracy to flourish in the country.
As we have already seen, the political landscape is likely to see a greater influence from Islamist parties, specifically Jamaat-e-Islami, whose student wing played a major role in the 2024 protest movement. Many citizens feel a shift towards more conservative leadership from here on. The saner section feels any attempt to force them to abide by their fatwas will result in clashes. It is however good news that Jamaat has assured the public that they would not take steps to implement the Shariah Law in the country.
Interestingly, for the first time, Bangladeshi citizens living abroad are able to vote via a postal system, thus adding a new dimension to the voting protocol this time around. If all goes well, postal voting can be a permanent feature in the country.
As is a regular feature in every vote, a significant number of voters are still undecided, and they will not go to the booths to cast their votes. No doubt it is a great loss to the candidates. Therefore, it would be a daunting task for the future politicians to reach out to them and present their manifesto before the next election so that the undecided voters may feel like coming to the booths and cast their precious votes.
Dhaka city looks deserted as almost half the population has already left for their village where they are registered as voters. Over 12 crore voters will cast their votes today where the number of male voters will be more by nearly 30 lacs.
This time all eyes will be focused on the performance of BNP. On arrival in the country, party chairman Tarique Rahman entered the stage on the Purbachal road announcing, “I Have a Plan.” It was a dramatic entry touching every heart present there. His announcement resonated with another historic announcement of the last century that time has encapsulated with great care and importance. The announcement of “I Have a Dream” by American civil rights activist and Baptist minister Martin Luther King Jr. during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28, 1963 has stirred the world conscience since then. In the speech, King called for civil and economic rights and an end to legalized racism in the United States.
A politician must have a plan first and then go on to implement it phase by phase, taking into consideration the ground reality as it comes up. It is therefore necessary for a politician to ‘have a plan’ meaning a set of guidelines to reach his goal. Without a plan he would be like a ship without a map. Political plans and action represent a structured, strategic approach to implementing policy goals. The plans are time-bound, and measurable commitments, focusing on areas like legislative reform, public participation, and transparency.
As I said, Tarique Rahman, being new in the fray, will have to go on as he will face the lashing of the wind. People will analyze his plan layer by layer and give their opinion. He will need to have a set of good deputies to implement his plan. With youth as his biggest asset, he will have to endure the litmus test to reach his goal.
Well, the festivity has gone a long way with the sun tilting towards the west with resolute inevitability. Let us now wait for the counting of the ballots.
The writer is the Consultant Editor, Daily Times of Bangladesh
