Bangladesh is gearing up for general elections in February, but the air is thick with controversy. Questions are already being raised about how free and fair the polls will be, with key opposition groups crying foul. The hardline Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from recent anti-government protests, are alleging that the election system is being manipulated. The NCP, in particular, claims the setup is designed to ensure a win for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent NCP figure, expressed his anger after a BNP candidate’s nomination was approved despite alleged loan defaults. He claims the administration is showing “double standards” and tilting heavily towards the BNP, casting serious doubts on the prospect of a neutral election.
Adding to the drama is the return of Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a major BNP leader, after 17 years in exile. His acquittals from past charges and rapid inclusion on the voter list are widely seen as “special gestures” from the current government. This development coincides strikingly with the mass cancellation of Jamaat leaders’ election nominations, leading many to believe the government is clearing the path for Rahman to consolidate power.
Political circles are abuzz with speculation that these nomination rejections are a strategic move to give the BNP an undeniable advantage. Jamaat’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, has vowed to continue their struggle against what they term “fascism and extortionists.” While Jamaat and the NCP were allies during recent protests, their current electoral distance from the BNP, coupled with these alleged maneuvers, creates deep uncertainty about their future influence. Candidates whose nominations were cancelled can appeal, but being bogged down in legal battles during such a critical campaign period is a significant strategic disadvantage. Even international observers, like India, have shown signs of anticipating these shifting political landscapes.
