Panel Discussion on Bangladesh Election at Wilson Center

‘Democracy or Authoritarianism to be determined’

‘Democracy or Authoritarianism to be determined’

Washington, Dec 7 (Just News): Will Bangladesh enjoy presence of multi-party democracy, with certain shortcomings, or will it be headed towards a cemented authoritarianism; that to be determined in the national election scheduled on December 30th. The moderate Muslim majority country of nearly 170 million people; will have to fix the course where supports from the international community play a ‘very important role’.

Such were the views from a panel discussion held at the Wilson Center, one of the US leading think tanks, at Washington D.C. on December 6, 2018.

Panelists and participants, ranging from the US State Department officials, ambassadors, think tank leaders, political scientists, distinguished researchers on the region and key development practitioners attended the event.

Addressing the program, Senior Scholar at the Wilson Center, Ambassador William B. Milam opined Bangladesh elections brings hope of restoring democracy to an one party authoritarian government through the formation of a front that is fighting for restoring democracy.

 “It is possible that the election scenario may be even go dirtier as news of one dead body of anti-government candidates are floating in the river. Arrest, intimidation and harassment of the opposition candidates may mount and there could be more spurious court cases against the opposition.”

Ambassador Milam observes Bangladesh has achieved major growth and development under democratic governments since 1990 to 2008 as there were four relatively fair elections conducted by a non-party caretaker government.

“That maintained a balance of power, if not perfect.”

Former Ambassador Milam explained the serious failure of politics in Bangladesh.

“Institutions are central to politics and insitutions operates through politics. The recipe of instability in Bangladesh was that the institutions have been politicized to serve party interests, by the both parties, deteriorating the balance”, remarked Milam.

After reflecting widely on severe rights violations, upright murders of the BNP candidates and massive arrests; Mr. Milam sounded hopeful that newly formed political front led by Dr. Kamal Hossain has poses significant a challenge for the Awami League government.

“Bangladesh will not turn in to a democracy overnight, but there is still hope if the election goes well”; said Milam.

Eminent political scientist Professor Ali Riaz succinctly yet profoundly explained the deep political crisis in Bangladesh that rooted in malfunctions of multi-party system, judiciary and executive branch. He also reflected on the role of the international community and briefly touched upon the recent growing influence of the conservative religious forces acquiesced by the government.

“Bangladesh’s trajectory of governance ranges from electoral authoritarianism to hybrid regime and ultimately it paves way to total authoritarianism.”

“Under the electoral authoritarianism, legitimacy of every action has been drawn through election. The post 2008 scenario tells the complete decimation of the civil society and there have been severe attacks on the intellectuals. The regime ensured no accountability”, explained Professor Riaz.

According to Professor Riaz, the ‘Hybrid Regime’ sustained since 2014 through a mixture of autocracy and mixture of authoritarianism.

“The formula of sustenance of hybrid regime is in election rigging, control of judicial, executive and legislative arena and the capacity to mobilize. Unfortunately, the road from here is to total authoritarianism.”

Dr. Riaz prophetically said, “the current moment seems the last chance for return of democracy in Bangladesh. This election will be the most consequential election in it’s electoral history.”

He strongly emphasized on the international community for their role in restoring democracy. He questioned the UN for failure to follow up the Taranco Commission that led dialogues for inclusive elections prior to the most controversial 2014 elections.

Dr. Riaz anticipates if the government of the post 30th December election lacks moral legitimacy; they will be putting enormous pressure, might be total crackdown on the dissents as the scenario on the ground tells so.

Another panelist of the seminar Dr. Tamina Chowdhury, a Cambridge PhD and researcher on Governance in Bangladesh; detailed on the effect of Digital Security Act and Information Act those have been deemed by observers as ‘the most draconian’.

“Everyone has to remain silent and that is the government’s motto to maintain the status quo”, explained Dr. Chowdhury; how the people can express their opinion let alone exercise civic duties.

“The election has become an opportune moment. The international community needs to speak in one clear voice. Being crucial partners of Bangladesh, they can’t afford to disengage themselves”; opined Dr. Chowdhury.

She further emphasized reconsidering sending election observers, exerting influence and taking innovative steps.

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State David J Ranz, Former Education Minister of Bangladesh Dr. M Osman Faruq, former US Ambassador to Bangladesh Mercia Bernicat, Principal Researcher for Democracy and Good Governance at International Republican Institute (IRI) Dr. Geoffrey Macdonald, White House Correspondent Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, Bangladesh Desk Officer of the US State Department Krishna Anand were also present at the seminar.

Michael Kugelman, Deputy Director and Senior Associate for South Asia, Asia Program of the Wilson Center; conducted the seminar while Ghulam Suhrowardi, publisher of the South Asia Journal, also co-host of the event, made the introductory remarks. The event marked the publication of a special edition of the journal on the election.

(Justnews/ys/0200hr)