Much to the relief of the nation, the four city council elections were held successfully and for a moment we could be optimistic about the health of our democracy. However, both major parties have immediately begun reinterpreting the results to fit their own agenda for the national polls, which is cause for alarm.
BNP won all four mayoral seats in a clean sweep. There might be a variety of reasons for their victory in each constituency and clearly the winners must be congratulated. However, it is a gross overreach for BNP to interpret the results of the city council elections as a national referendum in favour of a caretaker government.
The ruling Awami League, on the other hand, are trying to make lemonade out of lemons and claiming that their defeat clearly shows that fair elections can be held at the national level under their rule. There is no evidence to support this position, and in fact, independent nation-wide poll numbers show public support for a caretaker government.
We consider the naked opportunism being exercised by both parties to be an insult to the democratic spirit demonstrated by people who showed up to the polls to exercise their franchise.
The elections clearly demonstrate that the people of Bangladesh are ready and eager to have a voice in how the country is run. The government and the opposition now have the responsibility to come to the negotiating table to determine the best way forward so that people are able to exercise their right to peaceful and fair elections.