Within just two weeks of the announcement of a specific election roadmap, various uncertainties and conspiracies regarding the election have begun. BNP’s acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, has said, “A certain group is conspiring to sabotage the election.” Without delving into the debate over exactly who these conspirators are, it can be said that there is a faction that is active in delaying the transition to democracy. However, even in this climate of uncertainty, the most hopeful news is that the Election Commission has taken an important step towards holding free, fair, and impartial elections.
The proposed amendment to the Representation of the People Order (RPO) put forward by the Election Commission is a significant move in favor of such elections. Ordinary voters have been encouraged by this initiative. The proposed amendment includes the army, navy, and air force within the definition of law enforcement agencies. If this is added to the law, the three forces will not require a separate order to be assigned election duties. In addition, members of the armed forces will be able to perform duties at polling stations like the police and will have the authority to arrest without a warrant. I believe this is a very important step for the upcoming national elections. This will help reduce, at least in part, the prevailing doubts about whether a free and fair election is possible.
Before the elections, many people are making statements intended to heat up the political situation. On Tuesday (12 August), while speaking at an event organized on the occasion of National Youth Day, former adviser and NCP convener Nahid Islam once again expressed fears of another “1/11.” The NCP has been mentioning 1/11 quite often recently. Why, and in what context, they say this deserves discussion.
Nahid Islam said, “We want elections. We fought for elections and the right to vote. But we have also said that Bangladesh must go through change. The biggest crisis right now in Bangladesh is maintaining stability and national unity. If political parties cannot maintain national unity among themselves, and if they cannot develop a mindset of compromise to ensure the country’s stability, then another 1/11 will come. Because that is what we have seen in history.”
Nahid Islam’s statement is quite significant. Why did he say this after the announcement of a specific election roadmap? On the one hand, he said political parties must compromise, which is correct. Recently, BNP’s acting chairman has also emphasized political amity, saying, “We must not stop speaking to each other. After differences of opinion and path, this cordiality is essential.” This mindset of compromise, courtesy, and mutual respect among all political parties would ensure that another 1/11 never happens.
However, Nahid Islam’s statement at that event was contradictory. Just as he said compromise is necessary, he also said the opposite at the same event, “We have compromised for the past year, we compromised in the July declaration. There will be no compromise in the July charter. Not even 1%.” This means that while on one hand he was advocating compromise among political parties, on the other he was insisting on no compromise. Such an inflexible position is never positive for a healthy political environment. Political analysts believe that such situations contribute to the emergence of another 1/11.
It cannot be denied that the only way out of the current uncertainty and instability is democracy – a free, fair, and impartial election. Without an election, 1/11 will return. So, are some factions trying to sabotage the election? How realistic are the fears of another 1/11 expressed by Nahid Islam and others? It is true that until the interim government announced a specific election roadmap, such fears existed. But I believe that after the announcement of the roadmap, much of the suspicion about another 1/11 has been dispelled.
There is another reason to be free from fear about 1/11. In 2007, one of the key forces behind the rise of the 1/11 government was the Bangladesh Armed Forces. With their support, an unelected government led by Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed took power. But this time, the armed forces are not heading in that direction. Rather, they are standing as vigilant guardians in favor of elections and democracy. Since last July, their role in establishing the constitution, democracy, and the rule of law has undoubtedly been commendable.
We must remember that after the mass uprising of 5 August, Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman did not seize power. At that time, he could have easily taken control and imposed military rule. But instead, he worked to preserve constitutional continuity in the country. This made it clear that the army did not want another 1/11. In the face of various adversities and obstacles, the armed forces showed patience, restraint, and firmness. The army chief repeatedly mentioned elections within a year and a half. By calculation, the government’s 18-month term ends in February, and according to the armed forces’ wishes and intentions, the election is indeed being held within that timeframe.
Our armed forces want democracy. They do not want to be part of another 1/11. If we analyze Bangladesh’s reality over the past year impartially, it is clear that the armed forces have protected the country. In post-revolution Bangladesh, amidst the chaotic law-and-order, economic, and socio-economic situation, the armed forces have been the only ray of hope. After August 5, the police remained inactive for a long time, and it was the armed forces who safeguarded the lives and property of the people. Although some undesirable incidents and accidents occurred during this time, their presence ensured that nothing spiraled out of control. They tried to maintain peace and control the situation without excessive use of force.
Even now, the police remain inactive. The people’s trust rests on the armed forces. Their role in controlling the law-and-order situation in various places has ensured that the situation remains tolerable. People can at least leave their homes and go to work.
After August 5, the economy faced a severe crisis. Incidents such as arson attacks on factories, extortion, and the occupation of businesses under the label of “collaborators of fascism” began. In these cases, too, the armed forces played a vital role. Their active presence allowed action to be taken against extortionists, muggers, and mobsters in various areas. If the armed forces had not been there, such incidents could have taken a far more terrifying turn.
After August 5, they could have easily seized power, but instead they worked to preserve constitutional continuity. Looking further back, the armed forces also played a glorious role in the fall of autocracy in Bangladesh. Last July, General Waker-uz-Zaman announced the decision not to use force against protesters – a turning point for the movement, which then took a new direction.
It can be said without a doubt that the armed forces played a key role behind the success of the July revolution. Not only that, but after 5 August, they brought all political parties to the cantonment for meetings and helped form the new government. The army chief tirelessly fulfilled all the responsibilities of forming the interim government with dedication.
We hope that with the RPO amendment granting the armed forces greater authority and including them in the definition of law enforcement agencies, any law-and-order deterioration, mob violence, or muscle power surrounding the elections will be curbed. Over the past year, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have proven that they do not want another 1/11. They want to see a democratic government in power through a free and fair election and then return to the barracks.
Therefore, political parties must now act responsibly. On the path to democratic transition, what is needed is national unity, not division and conflict. Unity is the strength of democracy. Instead of living in fear of 1/11, everyone must work together to create an environment for elections and democratic progress. We must remember that without the armed forces’ appetite for power, unwanted events like 1/11 cannot occur. Over the past year, our armed forces – a symbol of Bangladesh’s pride – have proven they do not want another 1/11. They want a democratic Bangladesh.
Audite Karim is a playwright and columnist. Email: [email protected]
