Jahanara Farook Moli : There are only a few days left for Bangladesh’s national elections. The people of the country are enjoying the election process in a festive atmosphere. We see election posters, festoons, banners and microphones everywhere in villages, towns, cities, ports. Candidates are hand-to-hand distributing leaflets to people. There are colorful activities going on in various areas that are worth seeing. Candidates and their supporters go door to door to the voters to go to the center to vote for their preferred symbol.

All the citizens of Bangladesh have a tendency to celebrate every national event in a festive mood. Voting is also an important event for them. So they are anxious and happy. In such cases a section of the people deliberately avoids participating in that voting system where we also see that they are forcing the people not to vote. This should not be done at all and at the same time one should be aware that no one should force people to vote or choose someone for voting.

Election and voting is a democratic right. Similarly, it is the democratic right of the voter to vote or not to vote.

In this year’s 12th National Parliament election, campaigning in all parliamentary constituencies has added a different dimension. Every candidate and their activists are so busy campaigning that they don’t have time to eat or even sleep. Political leaders-activists are busy to attract the attention of voters in public meetings, yard meetings etc. Ignoring the severity of winter, all parties and independent candidates are continuing their election activities day and night, which is different from previous years.

All the candidates aim to win the same election and revive the election between the polls.

We expect a very happy election on 7 January. Where the world will see yes Bangladesh is an example of democracy where Election Commission is doing everything freely and fairly. Where people are able to make judgements based on their own moods. Hope so.

Jahanara Farook Moli is Executive Director, Election Observer Alliance