A controversial plan has emerged in Bangladeshโs political landscape ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections. According to credible sources, Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, is allegedly planning to retain power post-election. A detailed blueprint for this strategy has reportedly been prepared.
Sources claim that Yunus intends to secure 100 parliamentary seats for his close associates, including Lamiya Morshed, the chief coordinator for SDG issues in the interim governmentโs chief adviserโs office. Additionally, Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, has indicated a willingness to concede 100 seats to Yunus if a coalition is formed. This suggests a strategic alignment to ensure Yunusโs influence.
Under this plan, the Yunus-Jamaat alliance would allocate another 100 seats to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). If Yunusโs allies secure 100 seats, no party could form a government without their support, effectively giving Yunus significant control over the political process.
This strategy raises serious concerns about democratic integrity. The proposed seat distribution under a Yunus-led government is seen as a threat to Bangladeshโs political stability and democratic values. Without public participation and transparent elections, such a plan risks deepening instability. A fair and impartial electoral process is essential to ensure the legitimacy of the upcoming elections and to strengthen the foundations of democracy.
Concerns over election observation agencies
The Election Commission (EC) has released a list of 73 observation agencies to monitor the upcoming election, but this decision has drawn widespread criticism. An investigation by Prothom Alo revealed that many listed organisations lack functional offices, with some using residential addresses or abandoned buildings as their registered locations.
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For instance, Agrajatra Samaj Unnayan Sansthan in Kurigram lists its address as โSindurmati, Rajarhat, Kurigram.โ However, the organisationโs executive director, Humayun Kabir, confirmed that it is currently inactive. Similarly, the office of Kurigram Gorib Unnayan Songstha is merely the residence of its executive director, Abdul Latif, with no staff beyond him and his son.
EC policy prohibits individuals with direct political affiliations from serving on the executive boards of monitoring organisations. Yet, the investigation uncovered political connections in the leadership of five agencies. For example, Bashir Ahmed, founder of Dhakaโs Sangati Samaj Kalyan Sangstha, is a former Chhatra Dal leader, and Moktar Hossain, vice president of Jhalkathiโs Hillful Fuzul Social Welfare Association, is linked to Islami Andolan Bangladesh.
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Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the EC Secretariat, stated that the political affiliations and addresses of these organisations were thoroughly verified. However, the EC plans to revise the list following public objections, which can be submitted until October 20.
Voter list update irregularities
The ECโs ongoing voter list update, launched on January 20, has also faced significant criticism. Despite calls for door-to-door data collection, no such efforts have been observed in remote Char areas or rural regions, potentially disenfranchising millions of citizens. A resident of a Char area remarked: โWeโve been denied voting rights for years. This time, too, no one collected our information, yet the EC claims the process is complete. This is blatant deception.โ
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Election Commissionโs observer list lacks legitimacy and transparency
The draft voter list, published in August, reported 12.61 million voters, but many names from Char and remote areas are missing. This omission raises concerns about the inclusivity and accuracy of the voter registration process.
Broader democratic concerns
The upcoming elections are unfolding amid growing concerns about Bangladeshโs political and democratic stability. Allegations of a Yunus-Jamaat coalition controlling the government, coupled with issues like political party bans, voter list errors, and media suppression, threaten the democratic process. The lack of public participation further undermines the electionโs credibility.
The controversy surrounding Yunusโs alleged plan to retain power and orchestrate a controlled election risks pushing Bangladesh toward an opaque and undemocratic political future. Without transparent and inclusive electoral processes, the nationโs democratic continuity is at stake.
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