Politics
President stresses fair elections and political space for the opposition
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir says effective democracy requires free and fair elections and room for political opponents. He made the remarks during a meeting with a Dhaka University delegation. The comments express a governing principle rather than an announcement of new electoral legislation.
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has stressed that free, fair and impartial elections must be accompanied by space for opposition parties and political rivals if democracy is to function effectively.
He made the remarks at Bangabhaban on 4 October during a courtesy meeting with a Dhaka University delegation led by Vice-Chancellor ABM Obaidul Islam. The president’s press secretary briefed reporters afterwards.
The president described democracy as something developed through repeated practice, rather than a single event. His emphasis on the position of political opponents extended the discussion beyond the conduct of elections alone.
The meeting also covered Dhaka University’s academic activities. He called for higher educational standards and recognised the university’s role in the country’s political, cultural and historical life.
The vice-chancellor invited him, as chancellor, to attend the university’s forthcoming 54th convocation. According to the account of the meeting, he accepted the invitation.
No new electoral measure was announced in the published account. The political significance lies in the president’s articulation of standards for democratic practice; whether institutions meet those standards is a separate question requiring evidence of how they operate.
