In anticipation of Bangladesh’s 2024 general elections, a recent article in Blitz has ignited significant debate and concern. This piece, focusing on the election strategies of the Jatiya Party and the ruling Awami League, raises crucial questions about the future of democracy in the nation.
According to Blitz, the Jatiya Party is pushing for an “engineered election”, a tactic born out of its dependence on the Awami League for electoral viability. The article highlights the party’s waning influence and its urgent requests for support from the Awami League, depicting a scenario of political desperation.
The Blitz article also brings to light the potential risks to Bangladesh’s democratic integrity. It discusses the international scrutiny faced by the Awami League, including the threat of economic sanctions. The possibility of a compromised government, should the Awami League accede to the Jatiya Party’s demands, is a concern that Blitz emphasizes, along with the potential backlash from Western nations.
Additionally, Blitz sheds light on alleged covert dealings between the Jatiya Party and BNP’s Tarique Rahman. The article describes secretive meetings in Dubai involving Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), suggesting a complex plot to sway the election outcome.
Voice of America corroborates these concerns, reporting that Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced the next general election for the first week of January 2024. Hasina’s third-term re-election in 2018 was marred by violence and vote-rigging allegations. The opposition alliance and pro-democracy activists have dismissed the 2018 election results, with global media reporting on the alleged rigging.
In recent months, the United Nations and countries, including the US, have urged the Hasina government to ensure the next national election is free and fair. US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, during a visit to Bangladesh, stressed the importance of “free, fair, and peaceful” national elections. State Department spokesperson Ned Price expressed hope for “robust civic participation” and for the people of Bangladesh to “choose their own government through free and fair elections”.
A.K.M. Wahiduzzaman, a BNP leader now in exile in Malaysia, also voiced concerns about the fairness of the upcoming elections. He mentioned the arrest of over 4,000 BNP activists under false charges, casting doubt on the likelihood of a fair election.
Blitz’s article, along with reports from other sources, paints a complex and concerning picture of Bangladesh’s upcoming elections. These insights are crucial as the nation approaches this significant electoral event, highlighting the challenges and potential repercussions. They underscore the importance of upholding democratic principles and ensuring a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Bangladesh.
As Bangladesh gears up for its 2024 general elections, The Eastern Herald earlier highlighted a new challenge: the rise of AI-generated disinformation, including deepfake videos. Affordable AI tools like HeyGen are enabling the creation of realistic fake videos, leading to an influx of politically motivated deepfakes. This trend, noted by Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury of Digitally Right, poses a significant threat to the integrity of the electoral process.
The political landscape in Bangladesh is further complicated by the use of AI tools by both government and opposition groups. This has blurred the lines between real news and AI-generated content, undermining public trust. As the nation heads towards a pivotal election, the challenge is to address the impact of AI disinformation on democratic processes, highlighting a global need for cooperation against the misuse of AI in politics.
