EDITORIAL COMMENT: Bangladesh voters give the AL historic mandate by rejecting BNP on issue of corruption and indulgence to war criminals

The outcome of the December 29th elections that the US Ambassador in Dhaka has described before the Commisison on International Religious Freedom as “transformational “ and the most important election after the US Presidential elections of the year 2008 has been dramatic to say the least. The Awami League led Grand Alliance led by Sheikh Hasina came in front with 260 seats. The BNP that had formed the last elected government after winning a 2/3rd majority in 2001 elections won less than 30 seats which can only be described as a “drubbing”. In fact, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the BNP won as many seats as the Jatiya party led by former President Ershad. Another important outcome has been the trashing given to the Jamaat, the Islam based electoral ally of the BNP that won just 2 seats!
The AL never expected this resounding victory that can be compared to the one won by this party in 1970 elections of Pakistan when it just lost 2 of the 169 seats from East Pakistan (Bangladesh). The BNP never expected to lose this way. In fact, by most pre-election predictions the outcome was expected to be much closer with the AL expected to be ahead, but marginally.

The 20 million new voters and the campaign against BNP’s election ally the Jamaat on the issue of the war criminals were instrumental in the AL’s landslide victory. However, it was the issue of corruption of the BNP during its last stint in power from 2001-2006 that caused such a silent anger that the voters translated into AL victory at the elections. The BNP just did not fail to understand the voters’ anger and frustration; they went ahead and nominated many of these discredited BNP leaders in the elections that only hardened the resolve of the voters. Baring one or two, all BNP candidates against whom charges of corruption were brought during the last 2 years were routed in the elections.

The history of massive mandates in elections in South Asia is not a happy one as most parties who were given such mandates in the past have managed to mess up governance. The BNP’s last tenure in office is an example of that mess. Therefore, one must wait and see what the AL makes of this huge mandate. The AL has made a good start with Sehikh Hasina keeping her people in control by urging them to remain calm. It is now to be seen whether she can make this sustainable and bring into governance elements of bipartisanship that is vitally needed for the country’s future.

The Election Commisison must be credited for giving the country a fair election which could put Bangladesh on track to making governance work for the country’s future. The BNP’s massive defeat is expected to restrain them from rejecting the election result. They now should show some common sense to work as opposition within the framework of the parliament.