Ensuring free and fair election is a shared responsibility of all

Bangladesh is heading to the 13th parliamentary election on 12 February this year. As the elections approach, political violence centered around the election campaign seems to increase across the country. 

According to rights group Ain o Salish Kendra, at least 10 people were killed and 555 injured in 65 clashes between 1 January and 28 January. Most of the clashes were between leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and between leaders and activists of BNP and Jatiya Nagorik Party. Again, there have been clashes between leaders and activists of the two factions of the BNP. 

The role of the interim government is to ensure a level playing field. The government's main task is to arrange an environment so that the local administration and law enforcement act without partisan bias. 

However, it is a shared responsibility, where various stakeholders must perform their roles with ethical rigor. Stakeholders act as guardians of the ballot to ensure a truly free and impartial election. A fair and impartial election does not emerge from a single institution but from the coordinated, responsible behavior of all stakeholders. 

Fair and peaceful elections depend on how responsibly each stakeholder performs their role at every stage of the electoral cycle. Failure to do so may lead to severe post-election violence, ranging from peaceful demonstrations and legal challenges to riots, targeted attacks, and harsh repression by state authorities.

So, who are the stakeholders? In the context of Bangladesh, the following stakeholders must act as guardians of the ballot to ensure an election is truly free, fair and impartial.

Election commission: Bangladesh Election Commission is the institutional backbone of impartial elections. They register over 127 million voters, delimit constituencies, manage polling, and announce results under the legal framework of the country. 

The Commission is a main force to provide the "level playing field" that every candidate expects. Allegations of vote rigging, biased electoral commission, or lack of transparency in vote counting can undermine public trust and provoke mass protests. To ensure fairness, they must act independently of the government and parties, apply rules uniformly, and maintain transparent procedures. They must remain insulated from political pressure, ensuring that rules are applied equally to all political parties. 

Transparent voter registration, credible election management bodies, independent observers, and clear vote-counting procedures are essential to building confidence in results. Under the revised legal framework of 2025-2026, the commission has been granted enhanced powers to enforce the code of conduct, scrutinise candidate nominations (including candidate eligibility, asset declarations, bank defaulters, dual citizenship), and even suspend polling in constituencies where irregularities are detected.

Political parties: Political Parties and candidates shape the competitive environment and can either respect or undermine electoral integrity. 

When losing an election is perceived as an existential threat, this increases the likelihood of political tensions. Moreover, statements and actions by political leaders play a critical role. If intolerable behavior continues between members of the rival political parties, the post-election unrest will likely escalate into more violent violence. When candidates refuse to concede defeat and question the legitimacy of results without evidence, unrest is more likely to escalate. 

Hence, they should comply with codes of conduct, refrain from violence and hate speech, avoid the bribery of voters, and respect campaign spending limits. While candidates are naturally focused on winning, one of the greatest threats to a fair election is the refusal to accept legitimate results. Such stakeholders must prioritise national stability over personal ambition.

Voters and local communities: The most important stakeholder is the individual voter. A fair election requires a literate and engaged electorate. Citizens must understand not just how to vote, but why their vote matters. Their active, informed participation legitimises elections and constrains manipulation. The citizens must register, verify their details, turn out to vote according to the rules, and report any irregularities they witness at the polls.

The judiciary: The courts serve as the final arbiter of electoral disputes. An impartial judiciary is essential for resolving electoral disputes. For an election to be impartial, the judiciary must ensure timely resolutions and legal consistency. Justice delayed is democracy denied. Post-election petitions must be handled swiftly to prevent prolonged periods of uncertainty. Moreover, rulings must be based strictly on constitutional law. Accessible and impartial courts or electoral tribunals allow grievances to be addressed through lawful means. Robust legal mechanisms for dispute resolution reduce conflict risks.

Civil society and election observers: Independent observers and "watchdog" groups provide an extra layer of scrutiny. They monitor every phase of the electoral cycle, from legal reforms and voter registration to campaigning, polling, and post-election dispute resolution. Their presence at polling stations often discourages fraud and provides an objective report on the election's quality. Dialogue and Negotiation culture should be developed to mediate between rival parties where a civil society can act as facilitator to prevent escalation.

Media: The media has a great role to ensure impartial elections by providing accurate, pluralistic coverage of parties and policies, enabling voters to make informed choices. Their responsibility to counter misinformation and promote professional journalism help maintain public trust during sensitive periods. Editorial independence and responsible reporting are vital. Educating citizens about electoral processes and promoting critical consumption of information can reduce susceptibility to misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric. 

Security sector professionalism: Law enforcement agencies and the armed forces serve as stakeholders in maintaining peace and protecting citizens' rights to cast votes. They protect voters, polling staff, and materials, prevent violence, and enforce the law on election day and during campaigns. 

In this regard, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman has been visiting various parts of Bangladesh, stressing the importance of performing duties with professionalism, impartiality, discipline, patience and a citizen-friendly approach during his view-exchange meetings. Professional, neutral, and restrained conduct by security forces helps prevent escalation. Non-partisan policing and proportional crowd control are essential to protecting civilian rights and preventing violence. 

We hope the aftermath of contested elections will not result in mass protests, institutional crises, and in some cases violent repression. Overcoming these challenges requires a multi-layered approach involving government action, community leadership, and individual civic responsibility. Addressing post-election unrest requires credible institutions, inclusive politics, and timely preventive diplomacy. 

Although post-election instability and violence is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh, if the stakeholders do their job properly the country may experience a somewhat peaceful election, followed by the smooth transition of power from the interim government to an elected democratic government. 

Sketch: TBS

Dr Sajjad M Jasimuddin is a professor (professeur senior) at Kedge Business School and head of the Geopolitics Strategy Lab (France). He previously held faculty positions at several universities based in Bangladesh (Dhaka University), Saudi Arabia, the UK, the UAE, and China. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.