Bangladesh’s Democracy Index ranking has reduced by 25 positions to 100th due to a rigged election and political turmoil. The country now ranks lower among hybrid regimes, with significant decreases in democratic scores reflecting a global trend of declining democracy. Rising grassroots movements signify public dissatisfaction, yet sectarian tensions and challenges in governance remain prevalent.
Bangladesh has experienced a significant drop in its ranking on the Democracy Index, falling 25 positions to 100th out of 167 countries, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). This decline classifies Bangladesh as a hybrid regime, now situated at the lower end of this classification. The nation faced a notable decrease of 1.44 points on a scale from 0 to 10, attributed to a rigged election, the removal of the prime minister, and ongoing political turmoil.
In the latest report, India is positioned at 41st, Bhutan at 79th, Nepal at 96th, Pakistan at 124th, and Afghanistan at the bottom, ranked 167th. The index indicates a persistent global trend of declining democratic norms, with Joan Hoey, the director of the Democracy Index, noting, “The world’s democracies are struggling.” The assessment evaluates five principal factors, including electoral processes, civil liberties, governance, political engagement, and culture, leading to classifications of full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, or authoritarian systems.
For this year, Norway has been ranked highest with a score of 9.81, while Afghanistan received the lowest score at 0.25. Most of the top ten democracies are found in Europe, with New Zealand being the sole exception, positioned in second place. Among the poorer performers globally, Pakistan, South Korea, Kuwait, Georgia, Qatar, Romania, and Guinea-Bissau are noted.
The January 2024 general election in Bangladesh was marked by allegations against the ruling party for suppressing opposition, restricting media freedoms, and manipulating election outcomes. Despite these oppressive measures, grassroots movements, particularly those led by youth, emerged as significant catalysts for potential change, signaling growing discontent with established political entities. However, the protests leading to the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 also highlighted deep-seated sectarian strife, resulting in attacks against minority groups in the aftermath.
According to the EIU, the interim government in Bangladesh is under considerable pressure to conduct elections but is focusing on necessary reforms intended to restore democratic institutions. These reforms may postpone the electoral process beyond the year 2025, creating uncertainty about the political landscape going forward.
In summary, Bangladesh’s Democracy Index ranking has sharply declined, reflecting broader issues regarding democratic governance and political stability. Allegations of election manipulation, suppression of dissent, and rising sectarian violence underline a critical period in the country’s political evolution. As the interim government strives for reform, the timing and integrity of upcoming elections remain in question, highlighting the urgent need for restoring democratic norms.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
