The interim government has reached the limits of its effectiveness, warned CPD’s distinguished fellow, Debapriya Bhattacharya, on Sunday. “The opportunities they had to reform, the spaces they had to administer justice, have been exhausted. Their energy has simply run out,” he remarked.
Bhattacharya was speaking at the launch of a report entitled “From Commitment to Implementation: Political Inclusion and Democratic Accountability”, held at a hotel in Dhaka. The event was organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).
He added, “The capacities and potential of the interim government have reached their absolute limits. At this stage, their principal task is to ensure a credible and inclusive election.”
As part of the event, CGS unveiled a survey identifying barriers to electoral participation among minority communities. Conducted among 505 members of various minority groups, the survey revealed significant concerns about safety and participation:
| Indicator | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Feeling apprehensive about participating in elections | 50.3 |
| Feeling unsafe or extremely unsafe | 25.4 |
| Concerned about safety before and after voting | 42.1 |
Commenting on the findings, Bhattacharya observed that government rhetoric often fails to match reality. “Advisors promise unity under one umbrella, regardless of religion or ethnicity. Yet the umbrella never opens—people are still getting wet in the rain,” he said.
He emphasised that the forthcoming elections are not sufficiently inclusive. However, he noted there is still room to expand participation, especially for women, minority communities, and those holding dissenting political views. “Every citizen must have the opportunity to participate fully in the electoral process,” he said.
Bhattacharya stressed that the interim government must ensure voter turnout among marginalised populations, as well as their safety before, during, and after elections. “This is perhaps the government’s last opportunity to perform a meaningful act of governance. If they succeed, history may still record their contribution,” he added.
The event also featured contributions from Badiul Alam Majumdar, editor of SUJAN, and economist Selim Jahan. The session was moderated by CGS President Zillur Rahman.
The report and survey underscore the pressing need for inclusive and secure elections, highlighting the interim government’s critical role in fostering democratic participation. Without action, electoral processes may continue to leave vulnerable groups at a disadvantage, undermining both credibility and democratic accountability.