After Bangladesh's journey began on the path to becoming a modern democracy in 1991, many expected that electoral democracy would gain a strong footing gradually. But that hope and aspiration stumbled for the first slip at the infamous Magura-2 parliamentary by-polls on March 20, 1994. It became a symbol of a rigged election in the era of democracy, which seemed to have been restored after Ershad's autocratic regime came crashing down.

That by-election brought two issues to the fore: that a free and fair election was not possible under a partisan government, and that the Election Commission was not free at all under a political government. The by-polls helped the Awami League-led opposition parties of that time to intensify their campaign for the introduction of a non-partisan, election-time government.

Read more

Can Bangladeshi politics change its spots in 2023?

In the face of a strong campaign launched by the opposition, a caretaker government provision was introduced in the constitution and, subsequently, four national elections were held under non-partisan caretaker governments. Those elections were, by and large, free from the controversy of vote-rigging and ballot-stuffing. But the caretaker government system was annulled from the constitution following a court verdict. And we saw a resumption of the old tactics of vote rigging, with polling centres being run over by party cadres, ousting of polling agents, stuffing and snatching of ballot boxes, and intimidation of voters.

Then came the two controversial national elections of 2014 and 2018. While the BNP boycotted the 2014 election, the 2018 election saw 153 ruling-party-aligned candidates elected uncontested amid widespread allegations of irregularities. There were allegations that ballot boxes were stuffed the night before the election, and the opposition camp lost the election even before voting had begun.

In recent times, we have also witnessed voter turnouts gradually declining, which is surely an ominous sign for democracy.

Read more

‘Not in the mood to respond to AL’s lies’

After around three decades, if we look back at that fateful by-election of Magura, we would realise that the situation has not changed much. It happened again at the Gaibandha-5 by-election. The issue of by-elections came into discussion once again when seven BNP lawmakers – the only BNP candidates who had managed to win in 2018 – resigned. After their resignation, the Election Commission announced the election schedule, and the ruling Awami League and the main opposition in parliament, the Jatiya Party, nominated their respective candidates. But the Brahmanbaria-2 by-poll stole the show as a former BNP leader (after having been expelled from his party), Ukil Abdus Sattar, contested the election as an independent candidate.

Sattar had been elected five times from the constituency and had been state minister as a technocrat. His loyalty to the party was unquestionable. Following an order from the party high command, he had resigned from parliament, but made a surprise turn-around as he decided to contest the by-election as an independent candidate, in turn getting himself expelled from the BNP. The belief held in his constituency is that Sattar is contesting the polls for two reasons – first, he was trapped by the government and second, out of fear that he would not get the party ticket for the next election as he is over 83 years old.

Read more

BNP MPs tender their resignations

Another reason is that BNP leader Rumeen Farhana has a high probability of getting the party nomination in the next election from that constituency. For Sattar, his political future is almost ending. Many in the constituency have also said that it is actually Sattar's son who is trying to "make his future" through this by-election.

This particular by-election attracted further attention when all three ruling Awami League aspirants – it was open to anyone interested to run – withdrew their candidacy following the directions of party high-ups. It turned out to be a cakewalk for Sattar. On AL's part, it was presumably a good gesture to let a senior politician of the opposing camp have a last hurrah, since he is most likely at the twilight of a long and distinguished career. However, it is so rare that this incident is certain to go down in history as a very likely one-off where the ruling party favoured an opposition candidate.

Read more

B’baria By-Polls: AL ‘clears the way’ for ex-BNP leader

The ruling Awami League has repeatedly said that the next election will be a free, fair, and inclusive one. BNP sent a strong message through the resignation of its lawmakers, saying that it was not making empty threats when saying that the party would not join any elections under the incumbent government. And Awami League appeared to have countered this with a tactic of sending a message to BNP aspirants, saying they might get an open field if they break away and run during the elections. Then, Awami League could claim the elections to be inclusive and also be certain of retaining office.

It is often said that in politics, there is no last word. Through Sattar's participation, the ruling Awami League will try to prove a few things, particularly that BNP's decision to resign from the parliament was wrong, and will send a message to BNP leaders and aspirants that they may have a chance in the next polls if they betray their party and create a few cracks in what has so far remained steadfast determination. It is perhaps BNP's biggest achievement of the last 15 years that the party remained intact, with none of its stalwarts breaking away. But Sattar's election may have an impact.

Read more

No budget for CCTV cameras in Feb-1 by-polls: election commissioner

But one must wonder whether this move was indeed a good strategy for the ruling party. Is politics just a voting game? Should there not be moral or ideological practices in politics? After all, the one thing politicians must keep in mind is that once someone is labelled as a traitor, it hangs around their neck like the fabled albatross.

BNP had to rig the Magura by-polls in 1994 to back their claim that their popularity had not decreased. Three decades later, the AL took on a different strategy and let an independent candidate win to coax out aspirants from BNP's fold. In 1994, although BNP won the polls, it was defeated in politics. The Awami League might console itself with a self-congratulatory chuckle thanks to Sattar's victory. It might almost seem that the Awami League has manipulated a win in the first skirmish. But will such a stratagem or tactic win them the war?

Mohammad Al-Masum Molla is deputy chief reporter at The Daily Star.

Prof AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, chief of Juktofront, an alliance of opposition parties, yesterday alleged that the government has “breached” its promise to ensure a level-playing field by not allowing them to go to Satkhira by a helicopter to join a public rally.

“It's certain that the government has directly or indirectly taken steps to stop our public rally. We strongly protest and condemn this anti-democratic move. It's a clear violation of their pledge to create a level-playing field,” he said in a statement. Prof Badruddoza said the breach of commitment does not reflect the government's good will.

The former president also said Juktofront was all set to hold a rally in Satkhira arranged by Bikolpodhara Bangladesh's presidium member and a potential candidate for the upcoming election, HM Golam Reza. 

“But the airport authorities did not allow the helicopter carrying Juktofront leaders and journalists to take off yesterday morning,” he added.

He pointed out that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, during her recent talks with Juktofront, made a commitment that they will be allowed to hold rallies and campaigns anywhere in the country for the sake of ensuring a level-playing field.

Born on October 11, 1930, in Cumilla, Badruddoza Chowdhury led a distinguished life as a prominent physician and senior politician.

Last night, he breathed his last, passing away while undergoing treatment at the Uttara Women's Medical College.

Badruddoza Chowdhury was the founding Secretary General of BNP and later became the President of Bangladesh.

His father, Advocate Kafiluddin Chowdhury, was the Vice President of the Krishak Praja Party, General Secretary of the United Front, and a member of the Provincial Cabinet of then East Pakistan.

Badruddoza Chowdhury's ancestral home is in Munshiganj District.

He was an outstanding student. He completed his Matriculation in First Division from St. Gregory's School in Dhaka in 1947 and got first division in HSC from Dhaka College in 1949.

In 1954-55, he earned his MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College, consistently ranking among the top students in every exam.

He was also a Fellow of the Royal Colleges of Physicians (FRCP) of London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and an honorary FCPS in Bangladesh.

He was a leading professor in medicine, a specialist physician, and an acclaimed presenter of TV programs on medical issues. His programme on BTV, "Apnar Doctor", was a must-watch show for millions of viewers.

As a successful parliamentarian, Badruddoza Chowdhury addressed the United Nations three times and was a recipient of the Independence Award and the author of several books. 

At the request of the late President Ziaur Rahman, Badruddoza Chowdhury entered politics in 1978. He was first elected as a Member of Parliament from Srinagar, Munshiganj, in 1979, and then served as a cabinet minister.

In 1991, he was elected to parliament again, serving first as the Minister of Education and later as the Deputy Leader of Parliament.

In 1996, he served as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and in 2001, he was re-elected to parliament. He briefly served as the Foreign Minister in the BNP government from October to November of that year.

On November 14, 2001, Badruddoza Chowdhury was elected as the President of Bangladesh. He resigned from the presidency on June 21, 2002 due to political reasons.

He had resigned after the BNP's parliamentary party, headed by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, had asked him to quit after lawmakers had lost confidence in him.

BNP rebuked Badruddoza Chowdhury for not visiting the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman on his death anniversary.

On May 8, 2004, Badruddoza Chowdhury founded a political party called Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh, where he served as the party's president until his death.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, leaders of different political parties in separate messages expressed deep shock and sorrow at the demise of Badruddoza Chowdhury.

The President in his message condoled the death of Badruddoza Chowdhury. He said the nation has lost a distinguished public servant and a respected politician.

Muhammad Yunus in his message said, "I pray for the departed soul. May Allah grant him a beautiful place in Jannatul Ferdows."

In the message, he recalled Badruddoza Chowdhury's long and widely respected career as a physician and a public servant.

He spread the message of well-being and sound health as an eminent doctor of the country.

"He brought the same level of dedication when he joined politics. As a five-time member of parliament, he played a key role in democratic transition of the country in the 90s. His speeches in parliament were hailed by politicians of all persuasions," Professor Yunus said.

He has urged people to learn from his life and "dedicate themselves for the welfare of the people and democracy."

Leaders of Jatiya Party, Islami Andolon Bangladesh and other political parties also expressed their sorrow at the death of Badruddoza Chowdhury.

Badruddoza Chowdhury will be buried at his family graveyard of village home at Majidpur of Dayahata in Munshiganj after Zuhr prayers tomorrow.

Before his burial, his third namaz-e-janaza will be held at Srinagar Stadium at 10am on Sunday, said his press secretary Jahangir Alam.

Earlier, his first namaz-e-janaza was held at 8am today at the Uttara Women's Medical College and Hospital in the capital.

His second namaz-e-janaza was held after Zuhr prayers at Baitul Atique Jama Mosque at Road no. 8 of the Baridhara diplomatic zone in Dhaka.