Last Updated on November 7, 2025 9:04 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Zakir Hossain from Dhaka
Nomination and candidate selection for Bangladesh’s upcoming national election lack transparency and are influenced by personal and factional interests, says a report by the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI).
Following an assessment mission between October 20 and 24, the IRI said, “Parties’ inability to campaign freely in some areas due to weak law enforcement has further limited competition.” The report also noted that the suspension of the Awami League from the polls raises questions about representation and could “fuel violence on polling day.”
It praised improvements in Election Commission operations but warned that “implementation gaps remain.” The Representation of the People Order (RPO) is yet to be enacted, and enforcement of campaign finance rules is weak. The IRI urged greater transparency in party financing and candidate selection, warning that unregulated “black money” continues to distort politics.
It added that youth engagement offers hope but cautioned that extremist narratives could threaten Bangladesh’s secular foundations. “The July National Charter provides a blueprint for democratic renewal, but its realisation depends on the next parliament’s will,” it said.