Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz has urged the election commission and the government of Bangladesh to take serious note of the extremely low turnout in the city corporation election of the capital Dhaka.
The election, held on February 28, was boycotted by major opposition parties. While election commission claimed of almost 30 percent turnout, media reports it that turnout was far less than that.
Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz
Riaz, in his commentary, “DNCC election: The alternative facts and life imitating art”, published in The Daily Star, insisted that the government’s claims are akin to constructing “alternative facts.” Riaz writes that voters have rejected a noninclusive election and manipulation of electoral system. Besides, these manipulations are indicative of moving towards authoritarianism.
