Dr. Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan speaks to DOT :
Elections in our country have always been plagued with minor problems, it’s nothing new. Nevertheless, the security forces and election commission must take rein of the situation, by strict force if necessary. The situation will deteriorate if the EC and law enforcement fail to do this. For a successful election, violence and vandalism must be contained. Considering all factors, the incumbent government is ahead in the polls. This is because the Sheikh Hasina administration has done a lot for the country in the last decade. Education, Culture, Economy, Social, every sector has seen advancements. Also, since she is the daughter of the Father of the Nation, it is obvious that her party will be very popular with the people. Bangabandhu was popular with the people and his daughter Sheikh Hasina has similarly won the hearts of the very same people; and not just with her countrymen, but of people abroad as well.
However, the upcoming election will be very challenging, highly competitive. The reason is simple: the upcoming election is going to be a participatory one, a battlefield. The new generation will play a big role. They want a beautiful country and they are capable of cultivating a beautiful Bangladesh. As a result, they will give their votes to the party which they believe will be able to design such a nation.
Dr. Alam is a Professor of the Department of Film and Studies, University of Dhaka
Interview by Khairul Alam
Translated by Arafat Hasan