Despite the party’s historic win in what was ostensibly the last truly free and fair elections in Bangladesh, the country’s electoral landscape had been all but held hostage by the previous Awami League government ever since, leading to the weakened state of our regulatory bodies -- one of the most important being the Election Commission.
The EC is the primary check and balance authority which is meant to ensure that elections are done on a level playing field for contesting parties meant to serve as an assertive bastion of democracy -- the previous government had all but robbed the body of its power and autonomy, resulting in every general election prior to the AL coming to power being anything but free and fair.
The prospect of a new EC being formed under the interim government, then, presents the organization a chance to rebuild itself. Empowerment has always been key for the EC, and it should have complete authority over every aspect of the election process during the 90 days in the run up to the polls.
Bangladesh has been afforded a fresh new opportunity to re-establish itself as a democracy thanks to a historic student-led movement, and while the interim government has done an admirable enough job in keeping the country afloat during this incredibly moment in our history, Bangladesh’s future can only be dictated by a democratically elected government. To this end, an empowered EC will be absolutely instrumental -- not just in the next elections, but indeed every election to be carried out in Bangladesh from here on in.
For now we hope the new EC, which is to be sworn in next Sunday, will prove itself capable in carrying out its duties.