Dhaka — BNP leader and former army officer Major (retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, Bir Bikrom, has described the upcoming national election as “non-competitive,” citing the absence of the Awami League from the political মাঠ and expressing serious doubts about the ability of the current police force to ensure law and order and conduct a fair poll.
Speaking in a recent interview on contemporary politics, elections and state reforms, Major Hafiz said the electoral environment no longer resembles that of earlier times.
“Earlier, candidates all knew one another. Now I don’t even recognize many of the candidates,” he said. “With the Awami League not in the field, many new parties and personalities have emerged, thinking there is an opportunity here.”
He strongly criticised the proposal to form an upper house in parliament, calling it unnecessary and elitist in Bangladesh’s present context.
“An upper house is a luxury for a country like Bangladesh. There is no need for it,” he said. “Those who cannot become MPs through a general election are the ones demanding an upper house. Where one lakh votes can make someone an MP, 90 percent of these people cannot win a general election.”
He further remarked that even the current 300 MPs do not meet international standards.
“Adding another 100 ‘ornamental’ members will not bring any benefit to the country,” he said.
Major Hafiz also launched a scathing attack on the police force, describing it as “inefficient” and politically compromised.
“If I were given one and a half years, I could build a solid police force of 40,000 personnel,” he claimed. “Recruiting good, non-political and neutral boys and girls from universities and giving them six months of training would be enough.”
Referring to the force as “Sheikh Hasina’s police,” he alleged that civilians were killed in police firing during past political unrest.
“I doubt whether law and order during the election can be maintained by them. It would be better to send them home and use that money to recruit new personnel,” he said.
He also warned of possible violence during the election, citing alleged activities by neighbouring countries and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Referring to Gopalganj, he claimed the administration there operates under a different kind of control.
Despite his concerns, Major Hafiz said an election is still necessary for the sake of democracy.
“People think there will not be a fair election. But I believe it will be more or less fair and one party will get a majority,” he said. “In the spirit of ‘better a one-eyed uncle than none at all,’ this election should be held. Perhaps we will get a better democratic environment in the next election.”
