After months of political uncertainty, polarization and anticipation, Bangladesh is set to enter a decisive voting phase as campaigning for the 13th National Parliament election and the referendum officially ended at 7:30am on Tuesday.
The voting will take place on Thursday from 7:30am to 4:30pm, when voters across the country will cast their ballots to elect their lawmakers and take part in the referendum, marking a historic test of public opinion.
Conducting a credible election has been a major challenge for the Election Commission (EC), particularly after the political turmoil and loss of public trust following the fall of the Awami League government in the mass uprising.
This will be the first national election since the student-led and public movement of August 5, with expectations of political reforms and a “new Bangladesh” shaping voter sentiment.
The participation of political parties in this election is the highest in recent years. 51 registered political parties are participating in this election, excluding the Awami League.
The main participating parties include the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), and Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
Since the Awami League's political activities were banned after August 5, they did not get the opportunity to participate in this election. On the other hand, many partner parties of the Awami League-led 14-party alliance are also boycotting this election.
However, it is expected that the competition will be quite fierce as a large number of independent candidates are in the election field apart from the party candidates. Although the election environment has been relatively calm since the announcement of the schedule, the field has not been completely bloodless.
This year's special attraction is the referendum: Along with the national parliament election, the voters will now have the ballot for the 'referendum'.
Voters' expectations and challenges: From the capital to the remote villages, Thursday's vote is the focus of discussion everywhere. Ordinary voters want a fear-free environment, where they can vote for their preferred candidate without fear. There is great enthusiasm among young voters, especially those who will vote for the first time after the changes on August 5. However, the challenges are not few.
Observers are discussing whether the absence of the Awami League and the seat-based rivalry between small parties is creating fears of capturing the center.
According to election analysts, “The success of this election depends not only on voter turnout, but also on ensuring an inclusive and violence-free environment.”
Campaigning: Candidates from different constituencies spent a busy time on Monday in the last-minute campaigning.
Our own correspondent from Chattogram said that the candidates have been roaming the streets since morning. The port city and the upazilas of the district were filled with processions, slogans and mass communication.
The Cumilla correspondent said that candidates from all the constituencies in Cumilla held mass processions and mass communication programs on this day. Correspondents from Bagerhat, Magura, Brahmanbaria, Gopalganj, Sirajganj, Sherpur, Rajshahi, Dinajpur, Narayanganj, Bogra, Jhalokati, Jhenaidah, Munshiganj, Feni and Manikganj have sent information about holding similar programs.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
