Faisal Wahab
Over the past three and a half decades, Bangladesh’s political trajectory has been marked by instability, electoral fraud, and authoritarian control. While the country has experienced some semblance of democratic processes, the situation has largely been shaped by a few key figures and their unrelenting pursuit of power. At the heart of this political saga stands Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, whose tenure has come to symbolize the erosion of democratic values, the suppression of opposition, and the strangulation of basic civil liberties.
It is unfortunate, but undeniable, that Bangladesh has witnessed only three truly acceptable national elections in the last thirty-five years. These elections—held in 1991, 1996, and 2001—were organized by caretaker governments, a neutral institution designed to ensure free and fair elections in the absence of party-led administrations. This system, though flawed, provided the closest approximation of democracy in Bangladesh’s modern history.
However, the post-2001 period saw the gradual dismantling of this fragile system. The One-Eleven crisis of 2007 marked a turning point when a military-backed caretaker government assumed power. Its primary mandate was to restore order and oversee a fair election, but its actions soon veered into political engineering. The caretaker government, led by Fakhruddin Ahmed and General Moeen Uddin Ahmed, implemented the controversial “Minus Two” formula, aiming to politically neutralize Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, the two major political leaders of Bangladesh. Despite initial reforms and efforts to depoliticize the state, the caretaker government’s real goal was to weaken the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and, eventually, elevate the Awami League.
By the time of the 2008 national election, Sheikh Hasina was reinstated as the prime minister, with strong backing from both India and the United States, as revealed in the writings of key political figures such as Pranab Mukherjee. This marks the beginning of an era of authoritarianism under Sheikh Hasina, one where free and fair elections became a distant dream.
Once in power, Sheikh Hasina moved quickly to consolidate her authority. She oversaw a systematic crackdown on opposition figures, activists, and journalists, while eliminating any semblance of a political opposition. The tactics used under her rule were nothing short of draconian- enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the framing of false charges against political adversaries became the norm. The government’s relentless suppression of dissent was backed by international actors, particularly India, which viewed Hasina’s rule as a strategic partner in South Asia.
Sheikh Hasina’s tenure reached its darkest chapter as she sought to implement a one-party rule. Elections, such as the 2014 voter-less election, the 2018 ballot-stuffing election, and the 2024 election marred by dummy candidates, have illustrated the extent to which the political process has been manipulated. The electoral system itself has become a tool for the ruling party to maintain power, with no regard for the will of the people.
Perhaps the most damning aspect of Hasina’s rule is the sheer scale of violence and repression. According to human rights organizations like Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), over 1,500 enforced disappearances occurred during her time in office, though the true number may be far higher. The state-sponsored killing of political dissidents—often disguised as “crossfire” or “gunfights”—saw at least 1,926 extrajudicial killings, a chilling reminder of the extent to which state power was misused to stifle opposition.
Under Hasina’s leadership, Bangladesh’s democratic institutions, judiciary, and financial sectors reached the brink of collapse. Reports of corruption within the Awami League government and her family’s direct involvement in widespread looting were regularly exposed in the press, creating a sense of disillusionment and distrust in the system.
On August 5, 2024, the tide finally turned. After years of authoritarian rule, Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a popular uprising. To avoid prosecution, she fled to India in secret. The United States and the United Kingdom refused to grant her asylum, symbolizing a shift in international perspectives regarding her government.
However, the fall of Hasina has left Bangladesh in a state of political disarray. The country is now governed by a caretaker government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a figure with a reputation for reform and transparency. The challenges faced by his government are immense, with deep-rooted corruption, institutional decay, and a divided public to contend with.
Public sentiment is split on how to address Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League’s actions. Some factions demand a permanent ban on the party, while others call for accountability through proper legal channels. If Sheikh Hasina and her associates are convicted of crimes against humanity, they could be barred from participating in future elections, a step that could pave the way for genuine democratic reform.
As Dr. Yunus’s caretaker government steers Bangladesh through its most fragile political phase, the path to restoring democracy will require immense courage, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment. Dr. Yunus, with his reputation for transparency and reform, faces the monumental task of rebuilding not just the political system, but the very trust that has been shattered after years of authoritarian rule. The people of Bangladesh, who have long endured the harshest forms of repression, now place their hopes in his leadership.
Dr. Yunus has repeatedly emphasized his commitment to organizing free, fair, and transparent elections—an electoral process that will genuinely reflect the people’s will and allow all political factions to engage in a meaningful, democratic contest. Beyond elections, he has also called for sweeping reforms to restore the rule of law, revitalize the judiciary, and clean up the country’s deeply entrenched corruption. The stakes are high, and the international community, while acknowledging the challenges, must support the caretaker government in its efforts to ensure these reforms are not only ambitious but achievable.
Nevertheless, the road ahead is not without its obstacles. The entrenched power structures, including influential political figures and their networks of corruption, will not go down without a fight. Dr. Yunus’s government cannot afford delays or half-measures; the people demand change, and they demand it now. There is a strong need for institutional reform, but with the history of manipulation and electoral fraud still fresh in the minds of the public, Dr. Yunus must move swiftly to rebuild democratic institutions and establish an impartial election commission.
Ultimately, Bangladesh’s future depends on the success of these reforms. If Dr. Yunus can deliver a transparent, accountable government and oversee the organization of free and fair elections, Bangladesh may yet break free from the shackles of authoritarianism. The people, who have suffered so much, will need to be given a genuine opportunity to choose their leaders through a democratic process.
The potential for Bangladesh to emerge as a stable democracy in South Asia is real, but only if the promises of this caretaker government are fulfilled. The hope for a brighter, more democratic future rests firmly in the hands of those who now have the opportunity to restore Bangladesh’s broken democratic system. The task is monumental, but the time for change has finally come.
In the coming years, Bangladesh will face a critical juncture. Can the country rebuild its democratic institutions, restore the rule of law, and hold its political leaders accountable? Only through unwavering commitment to human rights, a reformed judiciary, and a transparent electoral process can Bangladesh hope to emerge from the shadows of authoritarianism and build a truly democratic future. The people of Bangladesh deserve nothing less.
Faisal Wahab is a socio-political analyst and financial expert, with a keen interest in exploring societal and political dynamics and their effects on communities.