Dear Election, we missed you so much. We yearned for you. Over the last fifteen years, we have tirelessly searched for you. You have been elusive, non-committal, and distant, but we never gave up on you. After blood was spilled, lives were sacrificed, and regime change occurred, you have finally appeared; it’s better late than never. Welcome back.
Today, we vote and celebrate because we have been denied this constitutional right for so long. Through this process, you empower us to choose our own future and that of Bangladesh. You are a transformative force; never be ignored.
Today, we harvest the seeds we have sown over the years through unwavering determination, enduring humiliations, deprivation, disrespect, torture, forced disappearances, imprisonment, malicious and frivolous lawsuits, and the loss of family, friends, and neighbours.
Today, we reiterate and accentuate the importance of living freely, with freedom of speech and assembly, without fear of unlawful detention, arrest, or being thrown into ‘Aynaghar.’ Your absence has reminded us of how protective and guiding you are. You are not always perfect, but you serve as a standard for validation. And we cherish it.
Today, we are restoring our nation. And we need it badly. Like someone hungry in a food buffet overwhelmed by choices, we may have gotten carried away at the start of your anticipated arrival. However, eventually, we corrected ourselves to give you a vivid, living colour. It was no easy task; we squirmed and quibbled, struggled to solidify the ground we stand on, but we were uncompromising in making room for you. We are thrilled to have you here.
Today, we recognise the mosaic of choices. We are free to select any person or party to lead our communities and nation. We are not pressured or coerced into making our decisions. Today’s voting and counting, it is hoped, will be transparent and open; the results for winners and losers will be precise, without ballot stuffing the night before or fixed outcomes. Even citizens from distant places can participate and have their votes counted, making this a historic moment.
Today, we reaffirm our commitments to stand united, speaking with one voice, and taking action that no dark forces can ever divide us along religious lines; that we respect each other’s choices to live life as we choose; that we are open to accepting diversity in thoughts, practices, and beliefs; that we live harmoniously with humility and honour; that we become guardians to preserve our freedom and integrity; that we assert ourselves on the world stage on equal footing, bowing to none; and that our borders and territorial integrity are always guarded and protected from external threats and influences. Only through you, the election, a mandate giver, can we actualise these lofty goals.
Today, a bicameral parliament is marked on the horizon. We are, thus, introducing something entirely new to our political system; that the upper house of the parliament will have the power to block troublesome, overreaching bills; that our Prime Ministers will have term limits; that our Presidents will have some measure of authority to exert power beyond simply rubber-stamping the Prime Minister’s wishes; that the opposition party will have actionable parliamentary oversight over the executive branch; that our judiciary will be more independent than ever before; and that our parliament will open the doors to young politicians from diverse backgrounds. This is a colossal change.
Today, we witness an imbalance in this election; while women make up the majority of the population, the very low number of women candidates is deeply concerning. One major party couldn’t find a single woman to team up with and run under its banner; the other major party also performed poorly, nominating only a few candidates. Additionally, women leaders of a newly formed party left it in droves. Gender bias and patriarchy continue to cast a shadow over the goal of creating an inclusive political culture. You, the election, must be disappointed by this as you aim to build a gender-neutral political environment. Still, we need you today more than anything.
Today, one of the largest parties will be absent from the election, leaving its supporters unrepresented. The party was barred due to numerous heinous crimes committed against citizens and state resources, along with many other egregious acts. This also serves as a potent reminder to the party coming into power that citizens will hold it accountable for its misdeeds and reward it for its good actions. The message could not be clearer or louder. Therefore, it would be wise for the party to use the reminder as a moral compass as it moves forward.
Today, critics will also be busy pointing out faults and criticising how this election could have been better managed. But, as Teddy Roosevelt eloquently said, “there is no effort without error and shortcoming,” and this election will reflect that.
Today, we are more hopeful about the future of our democracy than in previous years; we hope that the political parties will continue to mature it, as democracy can be delicate; it needs to be constantly nurtured and safeguarded. Otherwise, undemocratic forces may spoil it and exert their will. That is the last thing we need.
Today, we should remain cheerful and optimistic. The results of today’s election will act as a starting point for rebuilding the country, which is suffering from bank looting, money siphoning abroad, corruption, and bureaucratic malaise; they will not be a cure-all for everything that is decayed and demoralised. However, if there is enough commitment to prioritise citizens’ and the country’s interests over party interests, a political-cultural change is possible. With that change, then, it will truly be what Yeats called a “Second Coming.” We remain faithful to that goal.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author
The writer is a Doctoral Researcher, International Relations, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
