Kamal uddin Howlader

Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Election: Neither Free Nor Fair

By Ghulam Muhammed Quader

Published at : 29 March 2026, 10:51 am

I had already shared my opinion on this matter earlier. I said that this was not a good election. Good election means -- election that properly reflects the will of the people. As per definition a good election must be "free" and "fair."

"Free," means all voter and all political parties (who believe in lawful or constitutional means for change of government) should be "free" to participate in the election.

Therefore, the concept of "free" incorporates inclusiveness. Not only all voters but all political parties as mentioned are to be allowed to participate in the election freely without any barrier.

However, when participation by all parties is not there for any reason, legitimacy is sought by emphasizing public participation, claiming that "most people participated in voting," and thus calling it a "participatory" as such "inclusive" election. We saw something like this in the 12th parliamentary election not long ago. In that election Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) along with its allies boycotted the election and demanded the election to be held under a neutral Caretaker Government. Bangladesh Awami League (AL) government did not agree and completed the election without those parties. AL at that time took the same plea that even if it was not inclusive it was duly participatory by showing inflated voter turnout.

In the 13th National Parliamentary election, the AL was barred from participating by an executive order. Moreover, several other parties, including the Workers Party and Jasad which were identified as their allies, were indirectly kept out of the election through imprisonment, oppression, and by creating a violent environment against those.

The AL is the oldest political party in Bangladesh, with a glorious past. It led the struggle for people's rights on many issues including the movement for autonomy and the War of Independence. By any measure, it is one of the two major political parties in Bangladesh.
In terms of public support, it is generally believed that the Awami League and other parties which were excluded represent at least half of the country's population. Therefore, in the absence of these parties, it cannot be said that the 13th national parliamentary election was "free."

As before, it is found that efforts are being made to make it acceptable by claiming, though it was not inclusive but had spontaneous public participation, as such may be considered free. As regards that it may be said, arithmetic calculation from the capacity of voting (total voting centres, total number of pooling booths and the available total time) voting pattern collected from various constituencies; voter turnout in an average could be about 15% and not 59.44% as has been claimed by Election Commission (EC).

So, the election was neither inclusive nor participatory. (Detail arithmetic calculation has been provided in another write up, '13th National Parliamentary Election; Election or Selection?)'

"Fair" means equal opportunity for all parties and a neutral environment. The concept of fairness includes a level playing field for all participating parties and neutrality in the election environment which refers to free from the influence of money and muscle.

From the very beginning, Jatiyo Party (JP) did not receive neutrality or equal opportunity from the Election Commission, the government, or any officials involved in the election process.

From the time the interim government took office until election day, normal political activities, such as rallies, gatherings, and processions, were not permitted. Law enforcement agencies, either directly or under their patronage, different political parties/groups like Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Gono Adhikar Parishad, National Citizen Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) created mob and attacked the JP establishments and political programs. Party members were injured; offices were vandalized and set on fire. Many leaders and activists were arrested, jailed, or forced to flee as were implicated falsely if different criminal cases.

Three candidates fought election from inside jail as they were unjustly implicated in cases and jailed before the election. Despite allowed bail, they were kept imprisoned through new cases. Two candidates had to withdraw from the election as their party workers did not feel safe.

Leaders of Jamaat alliance received protocol and facilities from government officials as if they were important state figures. BNP alliance leaders received similar treatment. JP did not receive that. State media gave opportunities to both sides, but not to JP.

Furthermore, both Jamaat and BNP alliances spent thousands of crores of taka. They started spending huge amount of money more than a year before till election day, with an intention to influence voter’s free judgement. During the election, minority communities, AL supporters, and in some cases JP supporters were threatened by opponents with violence, vandalism and false cases, if they did not vote as instructed.

Vote rigging was rampant as reported by opponents of JP candidates by forcibly throwing out pooling agents of JP. Ballots were reportedly sealed in mass in favour of opponent candidates of JP candidates even sometimes by the election officials e.g., pooling, presiding officers, law enforcement personnel like police, Ansar on duty etc. When complains were made the authority wanted the same to be given in writing which was very difficult for a candidate on move during election day; or if possible, they paid a visit. Rigging stopped temporarily but reportedly started again.

In a nutshell, equal opportunity or a level playing field was not ensured for everyone. The entire election was also heavily influenced by muscle power and financial inducements. Voters did not have the opportunity to vote freely in a neutral environment. In short, there was no level playing field, and the election environment was not neutral. Therefore, the election was not "fair."

It may be concluded that the election was neither ‘Free’ nor 'Fair'. As such, it does not fulfil the basic requirements of a good election or an election where ‘peoples will’ could be reflected properly.

THE END

[The writer of this article is Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Chairman of Jatiyo Party]

Published LinK: https://english.khaborerkagoj.com/opinion/805122

Author's Website Article Link: https://www.gmquader.com/bangladeshs-13th-parliamentary-election-neither-free-nor-fair/

13th National Parliament Election: Election or Selection?

Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Chairman Jatiya Party

Published at : 28 March 2026, 11:46 am

In my previous writing, I also said that the results were predetermined. At that time, I could not present clear evidence or enough arguments to support the claim. I am presenting below some data which could be treated as proof in support of my above claim.

According to the Election Commission (EC), total number of voters is 12,77,11,793 (twelve crore, seventy-seven lacs, eleven thousand, seven hundred and ninety three); total number of polling centres is 42,761 (forty two thousand seven hundred and sixty one); total number of polling booths is 2,44,659 (two lacs forty four thousand six hundred and fifty nine); Time of voting is from 7.30 in the morning to 4.30 in the evening, 9 (nine) hours or 540 (five hundred forty) minutes.

EC claims 59.44 % voters cast their vote that shows 59% of 12,77,11,793=7,59,11,890 voters
Average voters in each polling booth =7,59,11,890÷2,44,659 =310.27 voters.
Total time 9 hours or 540 minutes, time available for each voter is 540÷310.27=1.74 minutes
It is not possible for a single voter to cast his vote on two separate ballot papers maintaining several other steps like verification, collection of ballots and deposit in two separate boxes within this short period of time. Then also maintaining this speed for full 9 hours without any break in all the polling booths of a polling centre, in all the voting centres of a constituency and in all the constituencies throughout the country is more than impossible.

So, the voter turnout as declared by EC may be considered erroneous/made up and the results based on that imperfect/manipulated.

Now let us try to determine what could be total number of voters that the existing facilities (of total polling centres and polling booths) were in position to accommodate within the designated time of 9 hours.

What has been gathered from different sources that a voter needs at least 3 to 4 minutes to complete all necessary formalities and two ballot papers to cast his or her vote. In case of 3 minutes time for a voter, a total of (540 minutes ÷ 3 minutes) 180 voters can cast vote in a single polling booth; total voters in all the polling booths are 180×2,44,659=4,40,38,620; which is (4,40,38,620÷12,77,11,793) ×100= 34.48%.

To accommodate this 34.48% average voter turnout, we need to assume all the polling booths in all the constituencies are to keep up this pace throughout the entire period of 9 hours. This cannot be a possible scenario. By and large polling booths were empty at least half of the time as gathered.

In that case, the total voter turnout would be 4,40, 38,620 ÷2= 2,20,19,310 (two crore twenty lacs nineteen thousand three hundred ten); which is 17.24%

In case, a voter needs 4 minutes to complete casing, in an average (540÷4) 135 voters can vote in a single booth; total voters in all the pooling booths are 135×2,44,659= 3,30,28,965; which is (3,30,28,965÷12,77,11,793)×100 =25.86% considering the fact that by and large polling booths were empty at least half of the time, the voter turnout would be half of the above.

In that case, voter turnout would be 1,65,14,482.5 (one crore, sixty-five lacs, fourteen thousand four hundred eighty-two point five); which is 25.86÷2=12.93%

Let us assume that half of the voters completed their voting within 3 minutes and the rest half took 4 minutes to vote which is a probable reality. Say, in an average half of the time the voting booths were in use (as has been gathered from different voters across the country) meaning busy collecting votes.

Total voters turn out would be (2,20,19,310+1,65,14,482.5) ÷2=1,92,66,896.25 or one crore ninety-two lacs sixty-six thousand eight hundred ninety-six point twenty-five).
Voter turnout in percent of total voter would be (17.24% + 12.93%) ÷2=15.085%

Approximately 2 crore voter or 15% of the voters participated in the voting. Election with such a low turnout may not be considered participatory.

This shows a total number of voters abstained from voting is 12,77,11,793--1,92,66,896 = 10,84,44,896.75 (ten crore eighty-four lacs forty-four thousand eight hundred ninety-seven.)

Approximately, 11 crore voters or 85% of the voters did not go for voting.

Fake votes created would be 7,59,11,890 -1,92,66,896.25= 5,66,44,994 or approximately five and half crore in number.

Under the above the circumstances the result of 'referendum’ in favour or YES vote, 4,72,25,980 and against or NO vote, 2,19,60,231; voters' participation of 60.19% really may not be considered to have any significance.

It is shocking to see possibility of a huge number of fake votes created through fraudulent means. It is a matter of concern as to the purpose of doing that. There could be two reasons. One is to show the election participatory though not inclusive to make it acceptable as free. The other reason could be very alarming that the extra ballots were created in favour of some candidates to make them winner as per a pre-fixed design.

If that be so, the election may not be considered as such and can be described as selection. The similar things happened in 12th parliamentary election exactly for the same above purposes.

I spoke in 12th National Parliament and described the arithmetic of voter turnout in the same way. I wrote article in English and Bangla and those were published in the daily Sun, March 28, 2024 (How was 12th National Parliamentary Election?) and The Daily Prothom Alo, March 27, 2024 ( দ্বাদশ সংসদ নির্বাচন আসলে কেমন হলো)

Under the above scenario political stability which was the main objective of this election could be a challenge. We saw similar things in the recent past, the aftermath of 12th National Parliamentary election and the consequences.

It is to be seen now why such a big portion of population did not go for voting. Was it that they did not find the election competitive or did not expect anything better irrespective of what would be the outcome? Or was it that they did not see candidates or party of their liking? One point is clear here; BAL voters and minority community voters did not vote to any of the contesting parties. The myth was created probably to justify the huge fake votes generated. It can also be seen that all the participating parties including BNP, Jamat alliances and others in total do not have that big public support as is being accepted after the election. It may also be concluded that Islamist politics failed to obtain that pe*******on in our society as is being apprehended.

THE END

[The writer of this article is Ghulam Muhammed Quader, Chairman Jatiya Party]

Article Published LinK: https://english.khaborerkagoj.com/opinion/805105

Author Website Link: https://www.gmquader.com/13th-national-parliament-election-election-or-selection/

জাতীয় সংসদের মাননীয় স্পিকার জনাব, মেজর হাফিজ উদ্দিন আহমেদ বীর বিক্রম সাহেবের। স্ত্রী জনাবা, দিলারা হাফিজের মৃত্যুতে আমরা গভীর মর্মাহত এবং শোকাহত। শোকসন্তপ্ত পরিবারের প্রতি জাতীয় পার্টি পক্ষ থেকে গভীর সমবেদনা জানাই,এবং মরহুমা কে জান্নাতুল ফেরদৌসের নসিব করুক, আমিন।

আমার সংসদীয় আসন ১১৭ ভোলা ৩
বিজয়ী প্রার্থী মেজর অবঃ হাফিজ উদ্দিন আহমেদ বীর- বিক্রম সাহেব কে শুভেচ্ছা ও অভিনন্দন।

আমি গভীর ভাবে শোকাহত 🥲🥲🥲
আজ আমার রাজনৈতিক সহযোদ্ধা মোঃ আলমগীর মিয়ার মৃত্যুর বার্ষিকী

আজ ৩১/০১/২০২৬ ইং তারিখে লালমোহন উপজেলা জাতীয় পার্টির সাবেক আহ্বায়ক মোঃ আলমগীর মিয়ার মৃত্যু বার্ষিকী 🥹
ঠিক ১৭ সালের এই দিনে তিনি দুনিয়ার সফর শেষ করেন।🥲
আমি এই দিনে তাকে শ্রদ্ধার সাথে স্মরণ করছি। তিনি ছিলেন লালমোহন উপজেলা জাতীয় পার্টির এক নিবেদিত প্রাণ, দুঃসময় যখন জাতীয় পার্টির হাল ধরার কেউ ছিলো না তখন ওনি জাতীয় পার্টি নামক এই সংগঠন টি ধরে রেখেছেন তার শেষ রক্তবৃন্দ দিয়ে। তার মাধ্যমে এই লালমোহন উপজেলা সহ্ প্রতিটি ইউনিয়ন পর্যায়ে জাতীয় পার্টি সুসংগঠিত হয়েছিলো তার মতো এমন দলের প্রতি নিবেদিত প্রাণ আজ খুজে পাওয়া ও যায়না। তার বিচক্ষণতা, দক্ষতা, ও নেতৃত্বতের কারনে জাতীয় পার্টি একটি শক্তিশালী অঙ্গ সংগঠনে পরিণত হয় । এই মানুষ টি এই পার্টির একজন নিবেদিত প্রাণ। সবার কাছে দোয়া চাই আজ ওনার মৃত্যু বার্ষিকী আল্লাহ পাকের কাছে প্রার্থনা করি ওনাকে যেনো আল্লাহ তায়ালা জান্নাতের সর্বোচ্চ মাকাম দান করেন আমিন। 🤲🤲

আসন্ন ত্রয়োদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনে
ভোলা-০৩ (লালমোহন–তজুমদ্দিন) আসনে (জাপা) মনোনীত প্রার্থী,
মাওঃ মোঃ কামাল উদ্দীন হাওলাদার স্যারকে
( লাঙ্গল ) মার্কায় ভোট দিন।
দেশকে মাদক, সন্ত্রাস, চাঁদাবাজি ও দুর্নীতিমুক্ত করতে এবং
একটি ন্যায়ভিত্তিক সুন্দর সমাজ গঠনে আপনার মূল্যবান ভোট অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।
📌 আপনার ভোট দেশের কল্যাণে, মানুষের অধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠায়
একটি শক্তিশালী ভূমিকা রাখতে পারে।
আসুন— দেশের ভবিষ্যৎ প্রজন্মের জন্য সৎ, উন্নয়নমুখী ও জনগণের পক্ষে থাকা
নেতৃত্বকে বিজয়ী করি।
#ভোট #লালমোহন #ভোলা

(প্রেস বিজ্ঞপ্তি)

দেশবাসীকে পবিত্র লাইলাতুল মেরাজের শুভেচ্ছা জানিয়েছেন জাতীয় পার্টির (১১৭ ভোলা ৩) এর (জাপা) মনোনীত সংসদ সদস্য প্রার্থী মাওঃ মোঃ কামাল উদ্দীন হাওলাদার।

ঢাকা, শুক্রবার, ১৬ জানুয়ারী, ২০২৬

‘দেশবাসীকে পবিত্র লাইলাতুল মেরাজের শুভেচ্ছা জানিয়েছেন জাতীয় পার্টির (১১৭ ভোলা ৩) এর (জাপা) মনোনীত সংসদ সদস্য প্রার্থী মাওঃ মোঃ কামাল উদ্দীন হাওলাদার।
আজ এক শুভেচ্ছা বার্তায় তিনি বলেন, আজকের এইদিনে অর্থাৎ রজব মাসের ২৬ তারিখ দিবাগত রাতে আল্লাহর প্রিয় নবী ও রাসুল হযরত মুহাম্মদ (সা:) আল্লাহ রাব্বুল আল আমিনের দিদার লাভ করেছিলেন।
মহান আল্লাহর মেহমান হিসেবে আরশে আজিমে গিয়ে উম্মতে মোহম্মাদির জন্য পাঁচ ওয়াক্ত নামাজের বিধান নিয়ে দুনিয়াতে ফিরে এসেছিলেন। এ কারনেই মুসলমানদের কাছে এ রাতটি অত্যন্ত মহিমান্বিত।

আজকের এই দিনটিকে অত্যন্ত তাৎপর্য বিবেচনা করে মাওঃ মোঃ কামাল উদ্দীন হাওলাদার আরো বলেন, আসুন আমরা সবাই এ রাতটি আল্লাহর সন্তুষ্টি অর্জনের জন্য পবিত্র কোরআন তেলাওয়াত, নফল নামাজ আদায় সহ অন্যান্য ইবাদত বন্দেগি করে বাংলাদেশ সহ বিশ্বের বিভিন্ন দেশে হিংসা, হানাহানি থেকে মুক্ত হয়ে শান্তি সৌহাদ্য ও পারস্পরিক সহাবস্থান প্রতিষ্ঠিত করার জন্য আল্লাহ রাব্বুল আল আমিনের কাছে দোয়া প্রার্থণা করি।

#লাইলাতুল #মেরাজ