Roundtable highlights public frustration over economic pressures, declining trust in electoral system
Speakers at the roundtable examined Bangladesh’s current political context, the credibility of the election system and the impact of rising living costs on voter behaviour.
A roundtable discussion on rising commodity prices, voter perceptions and challenges to democratic governance took place yesterday (2 February), highlighting growing public frustration over economic pressures and declining trust in the electoral system.
The discussion, titled "Commodity Prices and Voter Perceptions," was organised by the research and monitoring organisation Public Integrity Network for Evidence and Transparency at the National Press Club, with academics, political leaders, civil society representatives and governance experts in attendance.
Speakers at the roundtable examined Bangladesh's current political context, the credibility of the election system and the impact of rising living costs on voter behaviour.
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They stressed that restoring voter confidence and addressing the cost-of-living crisis must be treated as equally urgent priorities to prevent further erosion of democratic practices.
Participants observed that a significant portion of voters is increasingly prioritising everyday economic challenges over political promises.
Issues such as rising prices of essential commodities, employment insecurity, imbalance between income and expenditure, and gaps in social protection were identified as decisive factors influencing voter attitudes and electoral participation.
The speakers warned that the lack of effective and visible measures to control prices and ensure economic stability is deepening public dissatisfaction and contributing to political disengagement, particularly among low- and middle-income groups.
Prof HM Mosarof Hossain, chairman of the Department of Finance at the University of Dhaka, presented the keynote paper, emphasising the interconnected nature of economic stability and democratic legitimacy, arguing that voters' economic anxieties directly shape their trust in political institutions.
Speakers unanimously underscored that credible, transparent and inclusive elections are essential for a functional democracy.
They called for strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring freedom of expression, enhancing accountability and adopting long-term, effective policies to stabilise commodity prices.
The declining trend in voter turnout was identified as a serious democratic challenge, prompting calls for urgent reforms to restore public trust, protect voting rights and encourage broader citizen participation in the electoral process.
