Dhaka: Though voting is only 10 days away, election observers think the usual sense of euphoria and festivity associated with election in Bangladesh is yet to be seen for fear of violence.

Experts said a certain section of common people, including young voters, are taking little interest in electioneering of candidates, having failed to gain the confidence that the election will be held in a peaceful, credible and competitive manner, reports the UNB.

Jatiya Nirbachon Parjabekkhon Parishad (Janipop) chairman Prof Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, ex-election commissioner Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, local governance expert Dr Tofail Ahmed and TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, however, still held out hope that the anticipated election fever may grip the country even at the last moment if the situation improves.

‘The expected level of election excitement, what should have been witnessed by this time is missing. I think all the political parties are still not there in the field with their full strength. It seems they’re conserving energy to use at the last moment,’ said Kalimullah.

Mentioning that roads and localities used to be resounding with rallies, loudspeakers, and supporters of the candidates and processions at this stage of competitive national elections in the past, Kalimullah said the scenario is different this time. ‘Even, the ruling party is also not carrying out hectic campaign.’

Kalimullah, also the Vice Chancellor of Begum Rokeya University, hoped that the electioneering might still gain some momentum at the last moment once both ruling and opposition parties hit the ground, but ‘it may not reach the peaks gained in the past.

Sakhawat Hussain said although a participatory election is set to be held in the country after 10 years, there are doubts over whether it will be competitive as well.

He said most people are failing to take any interest in electioneering as they can see that a proper polls atmosphere is missing. ‘The arrest of opposition leaders and activists, filing of cases against them and attacks on their candidates and supporters are going on regularly, triggering tension among people.’

Sakhawat said hardly any poster of opposition candidates is seen at any part of the capital Dhaka, though most areas here are replete with that of Awami League candidates, indicating the election campaign scenario.

He said the situation was totally different during the 9th parliamentary elections in 2008. ‘Huge enthusiasm was there among people even before the announcement of the election schedule in 2008. All parties could carry out election campaigns freely and fairly, but now opposition candidates are being obstructed from conducting mass contact and distributing leaflets, canvasing through loudspeakers and hanging and pasting their posters.’

‘I talked to many voters, including young ones, but didn’t find any eagerness among them to the election due to the prevailing situation,’ the election expert observed.

He, however, hoped that the country’s people may get into the election mood in the coming days if the situation improves. ‘

Dr Tofail Ahmed said the ruling party is carrying out electioneering in full swing, but the other parities’ campaign is not getting pace due to adverse situation.

‘Enthusiasm among people over the election is missing as they are in doubt whether the election will be credible. As people didn’t see good elections for a long time, they can’t believe a fair and credible election will be held on December 30,’ he observed.

Besides, the election expert said people are not showing their interest in the election as they are not clear what they will get after the voting.

The continued arrest and attacks on the candidates and their supporters also frightened people, he said, adding, ‘A strong fear among people is visible as the Election Commission still could not create a level-playing field and take any effective steps to ensure proper election atmosphere.

‘We’ve so far been observing one-sided campaign by the ruling party. The situation may change in the last week of the election,’ Dr Tofail anticipated.  

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said people are keen to cast their votes, but they are deeply worried whether they will be able to go to polling stations on December 30. ‘People could not gain confidence over a peaceful and fair election given the incidents happened so far. Rather, their anxiety is deepening gradually,’ he said.

Iftekhar said ‘one-sided election’ campaign is going on by the Awami League while the opposition is not getting chance to go to people due to attacks and harassment by their opponents and law enforcers. ‘That’s why election fever still did not grip the country.’

The TIB Executive Director said most ruling party candidates contesting the election either being a minister or MP which is a basic weakness regarding ensuring a level-playing field. ‘That’s why the opposition candidates are in a disadvantaged position.’ 

He said the Election Commission still can improve the situation if it only exert its constitutional power and establish its control on the police and public administration. ‘But, I didn’t find any such will and intention of the Commission. I’m forced to say that the current Commission is the most controversial one in the history of the country.’