10th national elections and the challenges for the government

The 10th national elections were held on January 05 amid bloody clashes that left at least 22 people dead and 500 injured. Voting was held in 139 constituencies, and due to violence, voting in 8 constituencies was postponed. Out of 300 constituencies, no voting took place in153 as the candidates in these constituencies were declared winners uncontested by the election commission (EC). In the elections of the remaining constituencies, Awami League (AL) won landslide victory bagging 105 seats out of 139 while Jatio Party bagged 13, Workers Party 4, JSD (Inu) 2 and others 15 seats.
     Needless to say, this national voting failed to reflect the wishes and aspirations of the countrymen since majority of the candidates got 'elected' without balloting ahead of elections. The main opposition alliance led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) did not take part in the polls, while only 12  out of 40 registered parties contested and most of them belong to AL lead grand alliance.
In this unprecedented poll no vote was cast in 42 centres and mixed reaction was found among the authorities concerned over voter turnout. According to the  EC, voter turnout was 39.81 per cent, while Election Working Group (EWD) - an election watchdog formed by 26 organisations -- showed it to be 30 per cent and the Bangladesh Human Rights Commission 10 per cent. Meanwhile, the UN Secretary General has expressed deep concern over the violence-ridden elections. It may be mentioned that the EU, Commonwealth, USA, China refused to send their representatives for ballot observation prior to the elections.
Since this election took place without the participation of main opposition BNP which got mass support in most of the local polls including five major city corporation polls, it has given rise to tremendous criticism at home and abroad just as the one-sided elections in 1986 and 1996 were strongly condemned by all conscientious quarters. Political analysts have termed this election a mere formality. The Economist termed it 'wasted election in Bangladesh'. DNA, an India based news media, ran a story captioned 'Bangladesh elections: AL wins, democracy loses'.
Some Constitution experts have opined that this election should not be considered credible because majority of the candidates were declared winner without voting. This, they hold, goes against Constitutional provision, as it is clearly stated in Article 65 of the Bangladesh Constitution: 'The members of parliament will be elected by the direct vote of the people'. Furthermore, they view that democratic process was hardly followed in this polls as 52 per cent voters were deprived from casting their valuable votes.
Similarly, political observers point out that since majority of the candidates became winners without public mandate, it would be tough for the government to legitimise its role in governing the country.  In addition, political crisis may further deteriorate in the days ahead and the government may not get desired international support in restoring GSP facilities, labour migration, foreign aid and grant etc.
In the wake of the prevailing scenario, it would be imperative on the part of the government to take immediate steps for arranging a meaningful dialogue with the BNP-led alliance in order to hold a free, fair, inclusive, that is to say,  credible election.
 [email protected]