Bangladesh plunges into deep political crisis over general election

Bangladesh is feared to plunge into a serious political crisis ahead of the Jan. 22 general elections to elect a new government as a mainstream opposition alliance Wednesday pulled out from the race.

While announcing the boycott on Wednesday, Awami League (AL) chief and leader of "grand alliance" Sheikh Hasina alleged the interim caretaker government of President Iajuddin Ahmed is trying to implement an "election engineering plan" to install the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led four-party alliance of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to power through fraud and rigging.

Khaleda stepped down and handed over power to President Ahmed as the interim government's chief in October last year to oversee the elections for electing a new parliament in accordance with the country's constitution.

However, the opposition doubted the fairness of the elections under Ahmed who was elected president by Khaleda's ruling alliance that had overwhelming majority in the now dissolved national parliament.

The opposition also questioned the impartiality of Chief Election Commissioner Justice Aziz and four election commissioners appointed by Khaleda while in power.

After many twists and turns and street agitation, the interim caretaker government met some vital demands of Sheikh Hasina's alliance.

The controversial Chief Election Commissioner Justice Aziz and Commissioner SM Zakaria were sent on long leave so they can not influence the vote. The election schedule was changed twice and top civil bureaucrats who appeared biased for Khaleda were transferred in a bid to lure the opposition to take part in the polls.

In the wake of these steps, AL chief Sheikh Hasina and her allies decided to go for the elections and their candidates submitted nomination papers on Dec. 26, 2006.

But the alliance started rethinking about their participation when former President and Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad was declared disqualified to contest in the polls by the Election Commission for being sentenced for two years in imprisonment in a corruption case.

Ershad and his newly found allies termed the Election Commission's decision as a conspiracy to thwart their victory.

Finally, Sheikh Hasina announced boycotting the elections under what she called a politically biased caretaker administration and the election commission.

"We can't give legitimacy to such elections. We've decided not to participate in a stage-managed election on Jan. 22," Hasina said, announcing her alliance's crucial decision at a joint press conference on Wednesday.

She demanded fresh election schedule after updating the electoral roll, resignation of President Iajuddin from Chief Advisor's office, changes in the top echelons of intelligence agencies and appointment of a new Chief Election Commissioner.

Hasina, who was flanked by the country's two former Presidents - - Jatiya Party Chairman HM Ershad and LDP President Badruddoza Chowdhury, asked the administration, army and law enforcers to stand by the people against the "vote thieves."

She called for enforcing countrywide road blockade on Jan. 7-8 to press for resignation of President Iajuddin as Chief Advisor and publication of a flawless electoral roll. "People will neither accept nor allow any election of rigging. The grand alliance wants an acceptable election to reflect the people's verdict," she said.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Justice Mahfuzur Rahman told reporters that the elections would be held on Jan. 22 despite the boycott decision.

Former ruling BNP-led four-party alliance of Khaleda Zia will take part in the elections. Some smaller unknown political groups and independent candidates might also stay in the race. But credibility of the Jan. 22 election will be questioned both at home and abroad.

Political analysts here say the ensuing polls will have no credibility and the new parliament and the government to be elected through a controversial election might not have legitimacy to the outside world.

Bangladesh earned appreciation by holding three parliamentary polls in free and fair manner under a unique system of non-party caretaker government since 1991. But this time around the elections without all party participation would have no acceptability.

To resist the Jan. 22 election, the opposition alliance might go for violent means destabilizing stability and peace. The possible political violence might also scare foreign investment, which is badly needed for this least developed country.

The analysts apprehend that the caretaker government might call out army to quell violence ahead of the elections. The army has already been posted in capital Dhaka and all district headquarters.

The question of full takeover by the army this time is highly speculative. Many defense analysts believe that the Bangladesh army has earned reputation by working in United Nations peacekeeping missions in different countries. They may not feel encouraged to take over to tarnish their international image as peacekeepers.

However, the election boycott by the opposition alliance would push Bangladesh into a lingering political crisis disturbing peace and economic progress.

Source: Xinhua