Critical elections and democratic consolidation: the 2008 parliamentary elections in Bangladesh

Abstract

This article explores the significance of the ninth parliamentary election, held in December 2008, for democratic consolidation in Bangladesh. Three factors have made the ninth election important: first, it was held after two years of military-backed civilian caretaker rule when the government had adopted several measures for electoral and political reforms; second, the main parties formed pre-election alliances to face each other, rather than contesting the election on an individual basis, as was the practice in the past; and third, the composition of the electorate changed significantly, with nearly one-third of the voters casting votes for the first time. The use of a foolproof electoral roll also made the election results credible. Unlike the past, no major case of election rigging has been reported to the Election Commission after the elections. Nor did those losing the elections reject the results outright. The government also initially adopted a policy of inclusion, creating some space for the opposition to be proactive, and the opposition reciprocated by attending the inaugural session of the ninth parliament and pledging to make the parliament effective. The article explores the significance of this change in attitude as well as different electoral reforms for democratic consolidation in the country.

Keywords:

• elections
• democracy
• consolidation
• non-party caretaker government
• Bangladesh

Notes

1. For example, the first election, held on 7th March 1973, was considered to be a referendum on the new constitution that was adopted by the Constituent Assembly a few months earlier. The second, third and fourth elections, held respectively in 1979, 1986 and 1988, were considered to be critical, especially by the military regimes, to civilianise their rule. It is to be mentioned here that Bangladesh remained under direct or indirect military rule between 1975 and 1990. Elections held since the early 1990s are often seen as important not only to provide a means for the regular succession of government but also to strengthen the democratic base of the country. For example, the fifth elections, held in February 1991, provided a means for transition from authoritarianism to democracy; elections held in subsequent years are considered to be critical for democratic consolidation.

2. The Constitution provides for different options for the appointment of the Chief Adviser. For details, see Government of Bangladesh (2006).

3. For details of election-related violence, see Akhter (2009).

4. For a succinct account of predictions by different national dailies, see Akhter (2009, 350).

5. Article 13 states: ‘[e]very citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions … Provided that no person shall have the right to form or be a member or otherwise take part in the activities of, any communal or other association or union which in the name of or on the basis of any religion has or its object, or pursues, a political purpose.’

6. For detailed accounts of the causes and consequences of confrontational politics in Bangladesh, see Ahmed (2009), Islam (2006) and Osman (2009).