When Bangladesh lit with electoral color and festivity, some propaganda narratives shrouds in web to discredit Bangladesh’s all-out preparations to hold forthcoming elections credible and transparent.
Bangladesh is less than a month away from holding its 12th national elections. BNP-jamaat have tried their best to attempt to derail the election and thus destroy more than a decade of peaceful democratic process. However, its campaign of violence and its attempts at making foreign powers intercede on their behalf has essentially failed. Their violent campaign has seen widespread rejection, while their hopes for US sanctions has been dashed.
A recent article published in ‘The Diplomat’ however, has painted a picture that raises questions about the publication’s motives. The content and narrative of the article is based more on personal opinion and almost no verifiable data. The claims made in the article too, fail to hold up under scrutiny.
Writer Ali Riaz’s Blind-folded Stance
Ali Riaz is a Bangladeshi American political scientist and writer. He is a professor at Illinois State University and known as the pro-BNP thinktank member for his blind biased stance against the ruling Awami League.
Mr. Ali Riaz’s most recent opinion piece in The Diplomat is no difference. In his politically motivated article, he falsely tried to paint grim pictures of Bangladesh’s democracy ignoring vibrancy of ongoing electoral procedures.
Factually, for people’s non-participatory approach, BNP and their allies so called ‘mass uprising against the government’ ended up in vain. Now, they seem like involved in conspiracy to spread false propaganda to alter the narratives of Bangladesh’s development and democracy, using distinguished people like Ali Riaz.
However, the content and narrative of the Diplomat’s article is based more on personal opinion and almost no verifiable data. Let’s have a closer look into the article.
False Claims of Illegitimacy
At the very beginning, the article raises questions about the legitimacy of the election based on the non-participation of certain parties. The article’s allegation fails to take into account that the legitimacy and acceptability of an election does not depend on the non-participation of BNP, or vice versa; rather it depends on the transparency, inclusivity and fairness. The current government and the Election Commission has proactively taken steps to ensure that the upcoming national election is free, fair and inclusive. The government has ensured different parties, with the Prime Minister herself going as far as personally meeting with, and assuring, Trinamool BNP leaders of her commitment to holding a fair election.
In the article, accusations have surfaced, suggesting that the governing party is utilizing state apparatuses, including the civil administration, law enforcement agencies, intelligence agencies, and the judiciary, without any impediments.
Observers acknowledge the crucial role of upholding law and order in ensuring transparent and fair elections. Achieving this requires the essential cooperation of relevant state institutions, coupled with appropriate guidance. Questioning this inherent process prompts consideration of the underlying motives behind such scrutiny.
The election Commission has gone on the hardline, showcausing political leaders for violating election code of conduct; even members of the ruling party were not spared; displaying a show of impartiality and steadfast dedication to democracy. The article’s claims of a “guaranteed victory for Awami League is an unfounded. The ruling party’s candidates face challenges not only from established parties, but from independent candidates as well. The Prime Minister herself has stressed the importance of reducing complacency of Awami League members by ensuring competition in the election.
The article attempts to draw the international community in the internal, sovereign matter of Bangladesh. However, the international community has only ever expressed their desire for a free, fair and inclusive election. As the ruling government themselves have stated their commitment to this objective. The government has even welcomed the United States visa policy, as it aligns with its own objectives of ensuring a free election. The fact that no US sanctions were imposed on 8th December further enforces the fact that the articles claims are unfounded.
There is no evidence that the government pressurize any political party to join the upcoming election. All democratic parties joined the electoral process as the election is the main function of a democratic party to work for people. But Ali Riaz falsely propagates narratives that the government using state mechanism to bring parties in the election.
Mr Ali Riaz said that no opinion polls suggest popularity of the incumbent party but he ignored a recent survey that reveals that about 70% of Bangladeshis approve of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s performance.
The survey was conducted by the International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Center for Insights in Survey Research (CISR).
Ignoring BNP’s Crimes
The three “alleged” strategies discussed in the article are factually invalid. Its accusation that the ruling party wishes to keep BNP out of the elections is baseless. BNP is voluntarily boycotting the election, no party, entity of agency has “disqualified” them. Up until the nomination deadline, there was no legal barrier for BNP from contesting the election. Nor was there any attempt made to put such barriers in place. Up until their violent campaign on 28th October, they had campaigned for their causes unimpeded, as per their democratic right to free expression, guaranteed by the constitution. BNP’s claims of “persecution” conveniently omit the fact that their claimed persecution is actually the government’s attempts at protecting the people from BNP’s violent campaign of arson, anarchy and murder.
The EC and Government Have Repeatedly Tried to be Inclusive to BNP
Both the Election Commission and the government have persistently reached out to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), urging them to partake in the upcoming national elections. The government’s plea was succinctly echoed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on November 23, as she appealed to the BNP leadership, stating, “Let’s join the election to see how far one can run and to know whom the people want to see in power.” The underlying message emphasized the pivotal role of elections in allowing citizens to choose their leadership, reinforcing the notion that elections serve as the bedrock of democratic governance.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal, on November 4, extended a formal invitation to the BNP, expressing hope for their active participation. “We expect your (BNP) participation. It is your choice how you will ensure your participation,” noted the CEC. The Election Commission, showcasing its commitment to inclusivity, has maintained an open window to facilitate the BNP’s involvement, even after the election schedule was announced.
In a recent development, CEC Kazi Habibul Awal, on November 20, indicated a willingness to reschedule the national election if the BNP decides to join. “If needed or if there is a scope to accommodate them [BNP], we will reschedule it [the election],” he assured, underscoring the Commission’s flexibility in ensuring a fair and inclusive electoral process.
Despite these earnest efforts, the BNP has chosen not to participate in the dialogue arranged by the Election Commission to formulate an electoral roadmap.
In his article, Ali Riaz claims that Awami League tried to “peel off BNP” leaders is also unfounded, Trinamool BNP is not a “newly minted” party, in actuality It was formed by Nazmul Huda- a founding member of BNP who, after being dissatisfied by Tarique Zia’s autocratic rule within the party, resigned and formed Trinamool. Today, the party has induced a notable number of BNP defectors who do not subscribe to Tarique’s violent modus operandi. The freedom fighter, current vice chairman of BNP, and former Minister of Water Resources during BNP’s time in power, Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, was recently quoted expressing,

“He went on to say, “Only those without any sense of dignity and self-esteem can continue in BNP’s politics. Tarique Rahman imposes his disastrous decisions and suicidal politics on these leaders, and no one dares to speak against such unacceptable behavior.”
The fact that more than 40 BNP leaders have joined various political parties, including BNP central committee members and former MPs, underscores this point.
Another leader, Ziaul Haque Mollah, a former member of BNP’s executive committee said, “For a long time, the party did not value me. I was disqualified for being a reformist. I became an independent candidate thinking about my political future because I realized that there is no place for me in the party.”

It is mentionable that the forthcoming elections will be a highly contested battle, an overwhelming number of independent candidates—both from ruling party and the opposition—submitted their nominations to contest in polls.
But after scrutiny, the Election Commission declared 731 out of 2,741 aspirants invalid for different grounds. Of them, 561 people have so far filed appeals to get back their candidacy.
- 30 out of 44 parties are in polls
- 2,741 nomination forms submitted in 300 constituencies
- 30 senior BNP leaders will contest in polls, defying BNP’s stance
Major Parties taking part in the upcoming election

List of BNP Leaders Participating in Parliamentary Polls (Annexure)




Allegations Without Evidence
The accusations labeled against the EC are also based on personal opinion and not on facts or data. The registering of new parties is not politically motivated; but falls under the routine work of the Election Commission. If a party meets the criteria set by the commission; then the EC is obligated to grant them registration. The allegation that the EC has ignored applications from several political parties is not based on any fact or data.
The neutrality of the Election Commission is guaranteed by the constitution. During the 90-day election period, the EC will constitutionally have the executive power. This will grant the EC
a level of authority that is crucial in order to ensure a free, fair and inclusive election. It will also grant the EC the strength it needs to enforce electoral code of conduct and ensure safe voting environment for the voters.
The article alleges that many political parties have been “coerced” into participation. There is no data or evidence to back up this claim. No news source, national or international, has reported any act of coercion. Such speculation therefore, raises questions about the journalistic integrity of the article. The claims of coercion against Shahjahan Omar, a 3-term BNP parliament member and former minister of law, are also not backed up by any evidence. The act of joining a different party, is nothing new. Democrats and Republics frequently switch parties as their ideals shift; Omar’s act of joining Awami League is no different.
As for the alleged abduction of BNP members, there is no evidence to back up these claims. The leaders in question could very well be in hiding or these abductions might as well be carried out by BNP members themselves due to internal conflict within BNP. A legitimately and democratically elected government such as Awami League does not resort to abductions.
Motives
Upon careful analysis of the article, it becomes clear that it was politically motivated. The biased and accusatory tone; the lack of data and reliance on speculation and the complete omission of BNP’s atrocities completely disintegrates the validity and acceptability of the article; while raising ethical concerns about journalistic integrity about both the publisher and the author. The author himself, has a history of biased criticism of the ruling government; going so far as testifying in the US senate. His past actions therefore, cast further doubt on the motives behind the article.