Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz has been quoted in a news report by Voice of America (VOA). The report highlights the current political situation in Bangladesh ahead of the scheduled election in January 2024. Opposition parties are demanding a neutral government during the election, while the incumbent Awami Lesgue government headed by Sheikh Hasina insists on holding the election under its supervision.
“The absence of a neutral government during the election provides the opportunity to manipulate an election,” Riaz told VOA.
Referring to the past provision of the election-time caretaker government, which was scrapped from the constitution in 2011 by the Hasina-led government, Riaz said Awami League changed the constitution “without the explicit consent of the citizens and used it as a ploy to ensure another stage-managed vote.”
“If it wanted to have an environment wherein the citizens could deliver their verdict, it wouldn’t be afraid of holding it under a neutral government,” he said. “The Awami League won two elections under the caretaker system. Therefore, it cannot claim that the caretaker system doesn’t deliver a result reflecting the will of the people.”
