The 2024 uprising that was driven by the youthful energy was not only the removal of power structures but also the demand to restore democracy, hold leadership accountable, and reform the institutions, not just the change of regime, but the restoration of democracy. The current change is not only because of the grassroots but also the youth, who have never been given a chance to participate in any meaningful political process.
Today, with the country about to hold its next general elections, the question is not whether the youth are prepared to adopt democracy. But, are they finally ready to be elected by the electoral system?
Despite the youth being the majority of the population, over fifty percent had never voted in a general election. This does not come out of apathy but mistrust. The system has lost credibility due to frequent claims of ballot-stuffing, partisan administration and suppression of dissent. To millions of new voters, the message has been very precise, your vote does not count. Ironically, polls indicate that more than 77 per cent of the youths are planning to cast their ballots during the next elections. Such desire to change indicates a generation who is willing to get involved provided the system can demonstrate to them that they can be trusted.
New policies in the interim government such as electing migrant workers by postal ballot, and election officials by postal ballot are signs towards inclusiveness. But reforms must go further. Such applications as the use of postal voting failed because of limited periods to fill out the registration paper and insufficient socialisation. No matter the level of technology, it cannot make democracy a reality unless it is accompanied by time, education, and trust to the citizens.
Institutional integrity is necessary to have a successful technological reform. An independent and truly independent Election Commission that is not influenced by politics is necessary. Openness and frequent updates to the masses and active communication with first-time voters should become the norm. Confidence can be restored through independent monitoring by the civil society and trusted observer groups which are backed by international partners.
Democracy cannot be diverted to voting. The barriers must be removed which would not allow young people to challenge elections with high nomination price, political gate keeping and insufficient funds. A new generation of leaders can be empowered through such mechanisms as public financing of campaigns, mentoring, and youth quotas in lists of candidates. A system that encourages youth to vote although not to lead is not complete.
Protection of digital space is also of great importance. Youth activism was undermined in previous elections by censorship, surveillance, and throttling of the internet. To the generation that organises, debates and mobilises online, online freedom is not a luxury, it is a lifeline to democracy. It is essential that the elections are inclusive by ensuring that the digital platforms are open, safe, and vibrant.
This is not just a power struggle during this election. It is a referendum on whether Bangladesh can bring a new age of democracy, which is based on youth inclusion, innovation, institutional integrity. It is not the problem of making young people vote. The hurdle is to make them think that their vote matters.
The Bangladeshi youth is not interested in inheriting a failed democracy after a series of political trauma. They desire to construct one that is better. That will call political leadership not to practice tokenism, but to take young people not only as voters, but as candidates, advisors, watchdogs, and co-creators of the future.
The postal ballot can represent a fresh start, but the real challenge is whether the electoral system will be able to elevate up to the expectations of the youngest citizens. The future of Bangladesh must be penned by the people who see the power of democracy to bring change not to save the past but to create a new image of the future.
The writer is a Protection Specialist and CEO, Favor Consultancy
