Dr. Badiul Alam made these remarks on Saturday (October 11) while addressing a Shadow Parliament session organized by Debate for Democracy at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC). The discussion focused on the importance of the upcoming national elections in safeguarding democracy.
Reflecting on the past 15 years, Dr. Badiul Alam said the wealth of ruling MPs, mayors, and chairmen had multiplied due to what he called the “magic wand” of power — a trend that must be stopped. “Although Sheikh Hasina has stepped down, the laws, regulations, and structures that enabled authoritarian rule are still in place,” he observed.
He added that initiatives are now underway to reform these structures through an ongoing national reform process. Dr. Badiul Alam stressed the need for legal, institutional, and structural reforms to ensure genuine democratic governance.
Warning of potential political consequences, he said, “If the future government fails to implement the July Charter, their fate may mirror that of Sheikh Hasina’s.” He noted that only through the implementation of the Charter could the authoritarian framework be dismantled. The National Consensus Commission, he added, will recommend that the interim government consider holding a referendum alongside the upcoming national election, based on expert and political party consultations.
Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron also addressed the event, saying the July Charter has now become a “golden line” of national consensus. He expressed optimism that all democratic political parties expect a fair, inclusive, and acceptable election.
Kiron announced that the July Charter is scheduled to be signed on October 15 under the leadership of interim government chief Dr. Muhammad Yunus. However, he cautioned that if political rivalry hinders the signing, the country’s democratic process could face a severe setback. “In that case, justice for the victims of injustice, torture, disappearances, and killings — including the martyrs of the July Revolution — will be jeopardized, and there will be fears of a fascist resurgence,” he warned.
He further stressed that the upcoming national election, expected in February, is crucial to rid the nation of those who undermined voting rights, ruled without public mandate, and destroyed the electoral system through sham elections. Kiron urged all anti-fascist political forces to remain united for a free and credible election, steering clear of divisive politics.
The Shadow Parliament session, titled “Democracy Will Be Protected Only If the Upcoming Elections Are Fair and Acceptable,” concluded with a debate competition in which Tejgaon College and PrimeAsia University were declared joint champions.
