Bangladesh’s Democracy Index fell sharply, dropping 25 spots to 100th place, attributed to a rigged election and political unrest. The country is classified as a hybrid regime but closer to authoritarianism. The report also highlights a global decline in democratic quality, with many democracies struggling to maintain their statuses. Grassroots movements are emerging, yet political tensions persist, especially among minorities.
Bangladesh has experienced a significant decline in the 2024 Democracy Index, as published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), plummeting 25 positions to rank 100th out of 167 countries. Despite remaining classified as a hybrid regime, its current placement reflects a troubling proximity to the lower end of this classification spectrum. The nation reported the largest drop in score globally, losing 1.44 points on a scale of 0 to 10, attributed to a rigged election, the removal of the prime minister, and ensuing political turmoil.
In the broader region, India’s rank is 41st, Bhutan stands at 79th, Nepal is positioned 96th, while Pakistan and Afghanistan rank at 124th and 167th respectively, the latter being the lowest globally. This index indicates a sustained global regression in democratic quality, with autocracies consolidating power. Joan Hoey, director of the Democracy Index, remarked that, “The world’s democracies are struggling.”
The Democracy Index evaluates countries based on five critical factors: electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties, government functioning, political participation, and political culture. As per this year’s results, Norway claimed the highest spot with a score of 9.81, while Afghanistan occupied the lowest position with a score of 0.25. Notably, nine of the top ten democracies are located in Europe, indicating a regional dominance in democratic governance.
The report underscores serious concerns regarding the January 2024 general election in Bangladesh, where the ruling party allegedly suppressed dissent, restricted media freedoms, and manipulated electoral outcomes while intimidating opposition figures. However, despite such setbacks, grassroots movements, particularly those led by the youth, have surfaced as potent agents for change, demonstrating a growing discontent with established political factions.
Nonetheless, the protests leading to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 unveiled underlying sectarian conflicts, marked by violent attacks against minority groups. The EIU notes that while the interim government is under pressure to conduct elections, it is currently focusing on implementing reforms to restore democratic structures, suggesting a potential postponement of elections beyond 2025.
The decline of Bangladesh in the Democracy Index highlights a significant political crisis, characterized by electoral manipulation and suppression of dissent. Although grassroots movements signal a potential shift in governance, the urgency for reform remains paramount. The broader regional context reveals that many democracies are faltering, thereby calling for serious attention to the state of democracy worldwide.
Original Source: www.thedailystar.net
