Political parties must act responsibly to ensure the security of votes and voters as violence and insecurity have emerged as the primary challenges to citizens’ trust.
According to a recent public opinion survey by Democracy International, security is now the top concern for citizens in Bangladesh, with 92 percent of respondents stating they would not vote for candidates or parties involved in violence.
These findings were discussed during a dialogue titled “Voting and Voter Security,” jointly organised by Jamuna Television and Democracy International on Tuesday. The event brought together political leaders, election experts, researchers, and media representatives to address the factors reducing voter turnout.
Catherine Cecil, chief of Party at Democracy International, noted that citizens’ concerns reflect current reality rather than a hypothetical scenario.
She revealed that the survey found 27 percent of voters remain undecided, warning that violence not only discourages participation but also undermines the credibility of the entire electoral process.
Concerns regarding physical security were echoed by Md. Abdul Alim, Principal Director of Democracy International, who stated that many weapons looted after the July uprising remain unrecovered, posing a direct risk to election security.
He emphasised the need for all parties to collaborate on establishing clear security guidelines for voters.
Dr Samina Lutfa, professor of Sociology at Dhaka University, highlighted that there is currently no clear assurance of security for women, indigenous groups, and minorities before or after elections.
She attributed much of the public concern to the failure of political parties to provide strong guidance to keep their members disciplined.
Representing the media, Jenia Kabir Shuchona, Senior Reporter at Channel 24, stressed the importance of ensuring journalists can work freely and lawfully, urging parties to prevent “overexcited” workers from exerting undue influence.
Advocate Humayra Noor, Joint Secretary of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), further noted that the use of “muscle power” by major parties jeopardises candidate security and remains a significant obstacle to fair elections.
The role of the Election Commission and the administration was also scrutinised.
Abdur Rob, a member of the Central Executive Committee of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, questioned whether a level playing field has been established, expressing concern that the administration may be biased toward a specific party.
He called for a political culture where party workers publicly apologise for their wrongdoings.
On behalf of the BNP, research team member Dr Abdullah Al Mamun stated that the party is learning from past mistakes. He mentioned that hotlines have been established to report complaints and that the party remains strict regarding member misconduct.
Participants in the dialogue concluded that ensuring voter security requires moving beyond political promises. They agreed that concrete measures, visible action against violence, and improved party discipline are now the primary expectations of the Bangladeshi electorate.
