Bangladesh has had a tumultuous political history, with the caretaker government system often accused of being anti-democratic and promoting violence.
The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) has called for reestablishing the caretaker government system (CTG), creating instability and resulting in elections marred by violence. However, without this system in place, elections have proven to be fairer and more transparent.
Leading politicians firmly believe a corrupt, undemocratic, and potentially risky CTG would reverse Bangladesh's globally-recognized poverty reduction since its independence in 1971 by over 90%. The World Bank reported that the country's extreme poverty rate was 10.4% in 2022, an achievement credited to the current government's policies.
They also claim it would negatively impact current economic growth, which has taken this country to surpass China in increasing garment exports to the EU, which seemed impossible in the past.
On the path to becoming a developed country
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been instrumental in fighting poverty and placing Bangladesh as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Continuity in government policies and programs is essential for the country's progress, especially considering its goal of becoming a developed country by 2041.
In a recent report, Bloomberg said Bangladesh is on course to become a $1 trillion economy by 2040, driven by innovation, consumer optimism, and its young, dynamic workforce. In a country overview, the World Bank said the South Asian country "has an inspiring story of growth and development."
However, Bangladesh's significant social and economic achievements would be put at risk by a CTG, leading to a potential BNP government whose leaders are more inclined to close ties with China and Russia than with countries in the West.
‘CTG, a terrible idea’
Senior politicians and ministers who remember the CTG, which assumed power at the end of October 2006 following the end of the term of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party administration, have called it "a terrible idea."
“The provision of a Caretaker Government is not only undemocratic but also a dysfunctional system and, quite frankly, a terrible idea,” said Mohammad Wasimuzzaman, Hodge Hill Parliamentary Constituency Deputy Chairman. “I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that the Bangladesh Constituency has no provision of CTG or words to that effect.”
That caretaker government which held power for two years between 2006-2008, presided over one of the worst periods in Bangladesh's recent history. UCLA's Foreign Affairs Magazine, The Generation, wrote that "the decline in Bangladesh's democracy began during a two-year political crisis from 2006 to 2008, in which a military-backed caretaker government assumed control to address rampant corruption and political tension occurring during the election cycle."
A state of emergency was declared with military intervention, as politically motivated and trumped-up murder and corruption charges were leveled at party leaders to discredit them, thus attempting to prolong the CTG and those holding non-elected power.
“In the 1990s, the caretaker government system led to violence as parties vied for control of the country. Human rights were also threatened, including freedom of expression, assembly, and association. Many voters today may not remember or may not know because they were too young or not born then. Those two years were rife with murders, violent protests, and riots. It was akin to living in a warzone,” Wasimuzzaman added.
Both the United Nations and the European Commission suspended their election monitoring operations as the political crisis brought on by the CTG severely jeopardized the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Only one year after the introduction of the CGT, Human Rights Watch reported authorities had detained 250,000 people, and police were investigating 87,000 students for political activities.
CGTs' negative results in other countries
Myanmar and Pakistan have also experienced adverse outcomes from CTGs, proving that this transition method should not be encouraged.
Pakistan introduced the caretaker government system in 1990 amid widespread allegations of large-scale election rigging, however, most caretaker cabinets appointed for general elections, including the one established in 1990 under Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi, the leader of the opposition in the outgoing assembly, hardly qualified as neutral or non-partisan.
Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, president of Pildat, an independent, non-partisan, and not-for-profit Pakistani indigenous think tank focussed on political and public policy research and legislative strengthening, questioned the need for the CTG in his country, saying the practice was counterproductive in neighboring Bangladesh.
In Myanmar, the State Administrative Council led by the country's Senior General Min Aun Hlaing toppled the democratically-elected government in February 2021, promising elections in 2023. It installed a CTG, under which security forces shot and killed more than 900 people and arrested thousands.
Two years after the coup, the military Junta dissolved political parties instead of calling for elections. It unconstitutionally extended the state of emergency, with the country previously known as Burma living under a climate of extreme violence and repression.
Bangladesh: A long way since 1971
Bangladesh has come a long way since its independence in 1971. The country has made significant strides in reducing poverty, improving the standard of living, and increasing access to education and healthcare. The country's progress is fragile and needs protection at all costs. The caretaker government system has proven to threaten this progress, as it is associated with anti-democratic actions and violence.
When a caretaker government is in power, it effectively suspends the democratic process, as the government is not accountable to the people. That can weaken democratic institutions and make it more difficult for the country to hold free and fair elections.
As previously mentioned, caretaker governments are anti-democratic. By contrast, Sheikh Hasina's government has made significant progress in promoting democracy and protecting human rights in Bangladesh.
The government has taken a strong stance against fundamentalism, militancy, and terrorism and enacted laws to establish an International Crimes Tribunal to try those who committed crimes against humanity during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971.
Sheikh Hasina's government has also made significant strides in fighting poverty and placing Bangladesh on a path toward becoming a developed country. Under her leadership, the country has achieved a GDP growth rate of over 6%, raised five crore people to the middle class, and established ICT service centers in all union parishads.
The government has also introduced programs to help farmers, the landless, and the deprived, including allowances for distressed women, widows, the disabled, and freedom fighters, as well as social safety nets for elders and the homeless.
The right to free and fair elections
Abolishing the caretaker government system is necessary for Bangladesh's progress and stability toward becoming a developed country.
Sheikh Hasina's government has proven its commitment to democracy, progress, and stability, and the people of Bangladesh have the right to choose their government through free and fair elections.
In conclusion, the caretaker government system is anti-democratic and even promotes violence. Sheikh Hasina's government has made significant progress in promoting democracy, fighting poverty, and protecting human rights.
The people of Bangladesh deserve the right to choose their government through free and fair elections. The country's future is bright, but it is essential that progress is protected and that the caretaker government system is not introduced ever again.
Former minister and Awami League advisory council member Tofail Ahmed surmised that the BNP would disappear from politics if they didn’t participate in the next general election, as elections are the heart of politics.
“There is no scope of restoring caretaker government in the future as there was evidence of rigging during the caretaker government in the past. Elections are at the heart of politics, and I hope that the BNP will participate in the upcoming general election, which will be held under the government of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.” Ahmed said.,
“Bangladesh is one of the developing countries in the world. We achieved this status under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. Villages do not look like villages anymore. They turned into towns,” he added.