Bangladesh is heading towards the most expensive poll in its electoral history in the upcoming 13th parliamentary election, with the cost estimated at Tk 3,150 crore, including the referendum. A free, fair, and inclusive election is a prerequisite for establishing and consolidating democracy in every sphere. Without a neutral and credible electoral process, the transition from authoritarianism to a functional democracy gets stalled.
However, the journey towards democracy has not been encouraging in our country. The people have been struggling for a democratic political system for a long time. Now, we are waiting for the peaceful completion of a long-awaited, fair election and a smooth transition of power. We hope that if the choice of people is truly reflected in the poll results, democracy will automatically take institutional shape at every level.
As the country has long lagged behind in good governance, the development process has been hindered. Due to the absence of a neutral administrative system, the bureaucracy has often been inclined towards political interests, exercising autocratic attitudes to grab power rather than emphasising public interest. During the last regime, we observed that bureaucracy frequently dominated democratic authority. In managing crucial political crises, naked interference by government administration proved disastrous.
These situations arose because the political party that came to lead the nation did not emerge through a properly inclusive and credible process, leaving people unable to exercise their rights through voting. As a result, democracy was repressed under the overwhelming supremacy of the bureaucracy.
Now, we expect the nation to witness an outstanding and fair election where the people's verdict will be reflected neutrally. Therefore, from the perspective of common citizens, we humbly appeal to the upcoming government-whichever party forms it-to uphold democratic culture in every system of governance. Let the beauty and gift of democracy prevail over all evils and colonial bureaucratic attitudes, where no organ overlaps another's functions and responsibilities, and all work in harmony.
Md. Refatul Hossain
Additional Director (retd.)
Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE)
Faridpur Region.
Email:refatdae87@gmail.com
