Bangladesh’s Regulatory Framework for Election Standards: Highlighting and Addressing its Weaknesses

Elections provide a test of the political system in any country. Electoral rules and regulations set out legal constraints on the electoral process about what to do and not to do. The absence of any effective regulation contributes to a system in which parties and candidates are free to conduct business whatever they wish. Regulatory framework and its enforcement in Bangladesh challenge the credibility of election processes. In the research findings, it was concluded that a weak regulatory framework as well as its enforcement negatively affects the election process in order to ensure a free and fair election in Bangladesh. 

___

  • Akhter, Muhammad Yeahia, ‘Electoral Corruption in Bangladesh’, Ashgate Publishing Company, UK., 2001. Aliyu, Nasiru Adamu, ‘Concept of Democratic Elections under International Law’, Research Journal of International Studies, April, 2009, Issue No. 10. Grofman, Bernard and Lijphart, Arend, ‘Electoral Laws and their Political Consequences’, Agathon Press, Inc. New York, 1994. Cox, Gary W. ‘Making Votes Count: Strategies Coordination in the Worlds Electoral System’, Political Economy of Institutions and Decisions, Cambridge University Press, 2002. Global Commission Report, ‘Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security’, 2012, The Global Commission on Elections, Democracy and Security, jointly established in 2010 by International IDEA and the Kofi Annan Foundation, aims to promote and protect the integrity of the electoral process, which is fundamental to achieving a more secure, prosperous and stable world. Available at-http://www.idea.int/news/deepening-democracy-a-strategy-forimproving-the-integrity-of-elections-worldwide.cfm (Last accessed on 16 September, 2012). Harrop, Martin and Miller, William L., ‘Elections and Voters: A Comparative Introduction’ The Macmillan Press Limited, Printed in Hong Kong, 1987. IFES, ‘Making Democracy Work: Pre-Election Technical Assessment: Republic of Bangladesh’, International Foundation for Electoral Systems, September, 2000. Innovations for Successful Societies, An Interview given by Peter Eicher, Interviewer: Varanya Chaubey, Elections, Interview no.: J1, Date of Interview: 2 February, 2009, An initiative of the National Academy of Public Administration, and the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the Bobst Center for Peace and Justice, Princeton University. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, ‘International Electoral Standards: Guidelines for Reviewing the Legal Framework of Elections’, IDEA., 2002. The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (December, 2011). “Introducing Electronic Voting: Essential Considerations” Policy Paper, IDEA. The International IDEA Handbook, ‘Voting from Abroad’, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance and the Federal Electoral Institute of Mexico, 2007, Available at- http://www.idea.int/publications/voting_from_abroad/ upload/chap0-intro.pdf (Last accessed on 1 January, 2012). JANIPOP, ‘Ninth Parliamentary Election of Bangladesh’, Dhaka, 29 December, 2008, Part: 1, Ninth Parliamentary Election of Bangladesh 2008, Observation Report by JANIPOP, December 7, 2008-January 10, 2009. Prasad, Hari K, J. Alex Halderman, Rop Gonggrijp, Scott Wolchok, Eric Wustrow, Arun Kankipati, Sai Krishna Sakhamuri, Vasa Yagati, ‘Security Analysis of India’s Electronic Voting Machines’, University of Michigan, USA., 2010, Available at- http://indiaevm.org/evm_tr2010.pdf (Last accessed on 12 February, 2012). Rahman, Taiabur, ‘Problems of Democratic Consolidation in Bangladesh: A Cultural Explanation’, NAPSIPAG Conference 2006, University of Sydney, Australia. Silverman, David, ‘Interpreting Qualitative Data: Methods for Analyzing Talk, Text and Interaction’, Second Edition, London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2006. Sobhan, Farooq, ‘The European Union as a Partner in Promoting Democracy in Bangladesh’, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, International IDEA SE-103 34 Stockholm, Sweden, 2009. Tawanda, Mutasah, ‘Beyond Southern Africa: Electoral Politics and the New Pan-Africanism’, Media Institute of Southern Africa, Outside the Ballot Box: Preconditions for Elections in Southern Africa, EDIA, 2005/2006, 51, 51-52 (Jeanette Minnie, ed., 2006), Available at- http://www.comminit.com/en/node/278921 (Last accessed on 26 May, 2012). T. E. Smith, O. B. E., ‘Elections in Developing Countries: A Study of Electoral Procedures Used in Tropical Africa, South-East Asia and the British Caribbean’, London, Macmillan and CO. Ltd. New York, ST Martin’s Press, 1960. The Reporters Guide, ‘Handbook on Election Reporting’, 1995, Published by the Society for Environment and Human Development (SHED), 44/8 North Dhanmondi, West Panthapath, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh. UNDP, ‘Understanding Electoral Violence in Asia’, Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, Global Programme for the Electoral Cycle Support (GPECS), United Nations Development Programme, 2011.