The recent Narayanganj City Corporation polls should be held as the standard for what makes an election fair and free.
Due to the prevailing atmosphere of peace throughout the city, both parties, along with their constituents, were able to come out and cast their ballots in the mechanisms of the democratic process. This should be used as a model of what the democratic process can offer -- and what future elections should be in line with the aspirations of Bangladesh being a flag-bearer for democracy.
It is no news that most of our recent elections have been mired in controversy. From the opposition straight out refusing to participate, to regular instances of violence and voter harassment, expecting farcical ceremonies had become the norm. There have even been allegations of questionable conduct and phantom votes. Not to mention violence that media personnel were subjected to during coverage.
Which is why it is good to see the Narayanganj City Corporation polls not only free from the kind of violence that elections in Bangladesh usually exhibit, but that the media was given free rein to cover the election and that both Awami League and BNP candidates participated in the election.
Add to that the inclusive nature of the election, in so far as that transgender people were finally allowed to vote, and we have a model on our hands that should be followed in the future.
We need more elections like this. While our global image as a democratic institution has been somewhat besmirched in recent years, the Narayanganj polls clearly show we are capable of holding free and fair elections.
This is the only way forward.