Dhaka, Aug 9 — Samina Lutfa, Associate Professor of Sociology at Dhaka University, on Saturday sharply criticised Bangladesh’s male-dominated political decision-making, likening the bargaining over women’s political roles and parliamentary seats to a “fish market.” Speaking at a roundtable titled ‘Women’s seats in the National Parliament and women’s political empowerment’ organised by leading daily Prothom Alo, Lutfa condemned political parties for deciding women’s fate without their participation.
“When political parties attend commission meetings, it’s like a boys’ club,” she said, noting that male leaders trade seat numbers as if in a market, undermining women’s rights. Calling it the biggest historical mistake by political parties, she accused them of taking a conservative stance that would have long-term costs. Lutfa also criticised the government for ignoring the Women’s Affairs Mission report and remaining silent during attacks on women’s rights advocates, saying it proved alignment with forces opposed to women’s progress.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin acknowledged that the Election Commission is preparing for the upcoming general elections amid “several challenges,” including the urgent task of restoring public trust. “People have lost confidence in the system. Bringing them back to the polling centres will be a big task,” he said during a meeting at the Commission’s Rangpur office.
The election date will be announced two months before the schedule is set, Uddin confirmed.
Political tensions remain high following the overthrow of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government during violent protests last year. While the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) supports Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’s plan to hold elections before Ramadan, the National Citizen Party (NCP) has questioned the possibility of ensuring fairness. Parties that once united to oust Hasina are now divided over reforms and poll timing.
