NATURE OF ELECTORAL POLITICS IN BANGLADESH

This analytical study examines the nature and dynamics of electoral politics in Bangladesh during the mid-1980s, analyzing the institutional frameworks, political practices, and social contexts that shape democratic competition in the country. The article explores the historical evolution of electoral politics in Bangladesh, from the first general elections after independence to contemporary electoral processes. The research investigates the institutional architecture of elections, including constitutional provisions, electoral laws, and administrative arrangements for conducting polls. The study examines the party system and political organizations that participate in electoral competition, analyzing their ideological orientations, social bases, and organizational capacities. The article assesses electoral behavior patterns, including voting trends, regional variations, and the influence of social factors on political preferences. The research also evaluates the challenges facing electoral democracy in Bangladesh, including institutional weaknesses, political violence, and governance issues. Furthermore, the analysis considers the prospects for democratic consolidation through effective electoral politics.

Electoral politics represented a crucial dimension of Bangladesh's political development during the 1980s, with this article providing a comprehensive analysis of its nature and dynamics from the perspective of 1985. The research begins by examining the historical context of electoral politics in Bangladesh, tracing the evolution from the first parliamentary elections in 1973 through military interventions to the contemporary period of controlled political opening. The analysis explores the institutional framework for elections, examining constitutional provisions regarding representative government, electoral laws governing political competition, and administrative arrangements for conducting free and fair polls. The article investigates the party system, analyzing the major political organizations including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Awami League, and various smaller parties that participate in electoral competition. The study examines electoral behavior patterns, assessing how social factors including class, region, religion, and ethnicity influence voting preferences and political alignments. The research evaluates the conduct of elections, analyzing issues of electoral integrity, administrative capacity, and political violence that have characterized different electoral exercises. Based on the comprehensive assessment, the article identifies both achievements and challenges in the development of electoral democracy in Bangladesh and analyzes the factors that will determine the future trajectory of democratic politics. The findings provide valuable insights into the complex process of democratic development in post-colonial states and contribute to understanding how electoral institutions function in challenging political environments.