Elections are a regular element in a democratic system. In more than 100 countries, adult citizens elect their representatives at regular intervals through elections. The first form of voting is believed to have been practised in ancient Greece at around 600 BC. A vote was, then, required to decide which unpopular representatives would be expelled.
At one time, only certain citizens of the country had the right to vote. For example, it has only been hundreds of years since women got the right to vote in the United States. Women were given the right to vote in India in 1950. The democratic system has developed over time and all citizens now have the right to vote in most countries. They have the right to elect their representatives.
Now, we all understand that through voting people choose who their representatives will be, who will form the government, formulate laws, and make critical decisions. They exercise suffrage through elections to choose the party or individual whose policies will guide government and legislation. An election guarantees that a party or representative is not elected indefinitely and citizens are politically active through elections. For this reason, it is essential to ensure the unhindered voting rights of the people in the election of public representatives.
Leaving behind many of the ups and downs, uncertainty, fear, and domestic and foreign pressures, the election for selecting parliamentary representatives in Bangladesh will be held in a few days. This election is crucial to keep Bangladesh's democratic governance system and development activities dynamic and move the nation forward on the path of prosperity.
Although several political parties did not participate in the elections, judging by the candidates who are participating, this election has gained more life than the previous ones. Besides the ruling party, Awami League members who were deemed eligible for party nomination for election but were not nominated as party candidates, many of them are now running in the election as independent candidates.
The ruling party has not given any negative instructions regarding these candidates, which has added a new dimension to this election. Preferential voting is practised in many countries where voters give preferential votes to multiple candidates of the same party. Due to the lack of a preferential voting system in Bangladesh, independent party candidates are also considered by voters as an alternative to party candidates.
A significant issue in Bangladesh's democratic system is abuse of power, use of muscle, and lack of good governance. Various complaints have been reported in the media against many candidates, who seem to engage in malpractice by ignoring responsibilities due to their long-term representation in the constituency. There have even been cases of intimidation and violence. As the days of the election progress, the scale and number of complaints are increasing as well. For a fair and fruitful election, the public have demanded that the Election Commission and all stakeholders take proper steps to ensure that the candidates comply with the electoral code of conduct.
Nowadays, in many countries, citizens are reluctant to vote. According to political science, voter fatigue and apathy are reasons for low voter turnout at polling stations. Voter fatigue occurs when voters are required to vote frequently, and the process becomes tedious and arbitrary, whereas voter apathy refers to political indifference or disinterest. Many past elections in Bangladesh have seen very disappointing voter turnouts. Neither voter apathy nor fatigue can be directly blamed as the cause. But the things that stand out are the anti-election campaigns, some isolated incidents of polling booth irregularities, malfeasance of powerful candidates, and lack of security which have collectively turned voters away from the polling booths.
Security is also vital for polling officials. It is also a crucial responsibility of the Election Commission to force everyone to follow the election rules in the polling stations. It is also essential to ensure that the people from remote areas and areas with fewer travel facilities can easily reach the polling stations.
Through misuse of social media to carry out inauspicious propaganda, activities to promote anti-election sentiments by the enemies of the country can be seen deterring people from voting in the coming election. It has now taken a dire shape. If this continues till the polls, the general voters will be discouraged from voting. That is why preventing misuse of social media and other anti-election activities has become especially important.
Arson, burning, killing, militancy, terrorist activities, and violence can never be considered political activities. The brutal violence that has started since the end of October -- from police killings to killing innocent people and setting fire to hospitals, buses, and trains -- must be stopped at any cost.
Encouraging voters to turn up at the polling stations in this election has become a significant challenge for the Election Commission and all the parties in favour of the election, as well as the candidates and political workers. If the media, teachers, professionals, leaders of places of worship, NGO workers, and all conscious people can present elections as the key to electing people's representatives for the formation of government, rule of law and important decisions for the development of the country, then even disenfranchised voters stand a chance to come forward and exercise their right to vote.
Political scientists believe that democracy becomes more robust when more people vote and make good decisions in voting competent representatives in the elections. It must be remembered that democracy becomes ineffective when citizens elect unsolicited and dishonest representatives; as citizens are deprived of the political processes and are disconnected from the government formation process.
Dr Ezaz Mamun is a freelance contributor from Australia.
