Millions Miss Voting Due to One-Day Holiday
In Bangladesh, millions are estimated to miss voting opportunities due to a single-day public holiday on election day. This limitation significantly hampers the democratic process, especially for internal migrants who have relocated for work.
The Issue of Voter Disenfranchisement
Many citizens live far from their registered voting locations. This creates a challenges for them to return home in time to vote. The large population migrating from rural areas to industrial cities such as Dhaka, Chattogram, Gazipur, and Narayanganj exacerbates this issue. For these individuals, returning to their home constituencies for a day often means facing logistical and financial barriers.
- The 2014 election saw a national voter turnout of only 40%.
- Participation in some constituencies of Dhaka dropped to as low as 22%.
- Factors influencing low turnout included political boycotts and travel difficulties.
Challenges Faced by Voters
Traveling long distances after work to vote is not feasible for many. The burden of returning to work the following day, combined with overbooked transportation and rising travel costs, disproportionately affects low-income urban migrants. Many cannot afford to take two days off work, resulting in their exclusion from the electoral process.
The Upcoming Election: A Turning Point?
The upcoming election presents an opportunity for change. However, the Election Commission’s consideration of postal voting primarily focuses on Bangladeshi expatriates, leaving the vast number of internal migrants unaddressed. These individuals play crucial roles in the economy but remain sidelined from participating in democracy.
Proposed Solutions for Increased Access
To ensure greater access to voting, several practical measures could be implemented:
- Extend the public holiday to include the day before or after the election.
- Coordinate transportation services, such as special trains and buses, to minimize costs and ensure availability.
- Install satellite polling booths in densely populated industrial areas, enabling workers to vote closer to their workplace.
- Employers should be mandated to provide paid or unpaid leave for voting purposes.
- Introduce options for internal migrants to vote by mail or through secure drop boxes in their cities.
Moving Toward Inclusivity in Democracy
A successful electoral process relies not just on competitive political environments but also on inclusivity. Bangladesh can learn from countries like India and the Philippines, which have implemented solutions such as multi-day voting and absentee ballots for their mobile populations.
To truly restore faith in democratic institutions, Bangladesh must focus on practical measures rather than ceremonial gestures. Enabling access to voting for millions of workers is essential to ensuring that every citizen can exercise their constitutional right.
