Contesting election in Bangladesh now requires Tk10-20 crore: Asif Mahmud

Given the current political and economic reality of Bangladesh, a candidate would need at least Tk10-20 crore to avoid losing their election security deposit, said Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, adviser to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, today (7 November).

"Under today's circumstances, only those with black money can afford to contest election — or those who are backed financially by someone else," he said while speaking at a roundtable titled "From November to July: From Revolution to Revolution" organised by the Students Against Discrimination at the Jatiya Press Club, marking the 50th anniversary of the Day of Revolution and Solidarity.

The adviser added, "But if you take money from someone to contest an election, you have to serve their interests once elected. That's why we keep asking ourselves: should we even contest elections? If we do, how should we approach it? Will people vote without money? And given the current structure, how realistic is it for us to participate in such an election?"

Asif also said that in the past 50 years, no political party has been able to offer a new narrative.

"As a result, we are still standing on the discourse established by Ziaur Rahman. That's why Saarc remains relevant even today," he added.

The adviser further noted that the actual process of state-building in Bangladesh began after 1975, saying, "It was from that period that our national outlook truly began to create."

Recalling the events of 5 August 2024, Asif said, "Barely two hours after Sheikh Hasina left the country, our political leaders rushed into the lap of the establishment. We were 25-26 years old then, but our elders handed over responsibility to the establishment."

He mentioned that during the formation of the interim government after the July Uprising, the proposals of young activists were ignored.

"I had suggested holding talks at Dhaka University, but we were told to go to the cantonment instead. We refused, and later the discussions had to be held at Bangabhaban," he said.

Reflecting on the aftermath of last year's uprising, Asif Mahmud said attention should have been paid to three issues: reform, justice, and democratic transformation. "But some of those who once spoke of reform later became part of anti-reform politics," he remarked.

At the same event, writer and political analyst Farhad Mazhar said, "The period between 5 and 8 August could have determined a new political trajectory for Bangladesh, but we missed that opportunity. The young generation cannot escape responsibility for this failure."

He emphasised the need to establish public sovereignty in the days ahead, calling for administrative decentralisation and the dismantling of Dhaka-centric governance to build a participatory, district-based system.