Bangladeshs Election Results Spark Hope and New Questions, Says Lisa Curtis

Washington, February 14: The results of Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections have been announced, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) winning decisively. Lisa Curtis, a former South Asia official at the White House, commented on the results, calling it a good day for Bangladeshi democracy. She noted that the largely peaceful conduct of the elections is encouraging, but raised concerns about the rise of the Jamaat-e-Islami party and the deep institutional damage that remains a pressing issue.

In a special interview, Curtis stated, “I believe today is a good day for Bangladeshi democracy.” The results showed a significant victory for the BNP and a strong performance by Jamaat-e-Islami.

Despite fears of violence on election day, Curtis observed that the elections were conducted without major incidents. She highlighted that approximately 70% of voters supported reforms in democratic institutions, including term limits for the Prime Minister and increased participation of women in the democratic process. Curtis described these developments as very positive, although she noted that voter turnout was slightly below average.

In the recent elections, about 60% of eligible voters participated. Curtis attributed the lower turnout to the Awami League being barred from participating, which led many of their supporters to stay home. She remarked, “In previous elections, Jamaat-e-Islami traditionally received only 5 to 7 percent of the votes. This time, it seems they may have won over 68 seats in the assembly. This marks a significant shift for Bangladesh.”

Curtis raised questions about how Jamaat-e-Islami will function as an opposition party. She pointed out that while the party made efforts to attract younger voters during the campaign, it remains under the control of older leaders, suggesting that its policies may continue to be conservative.

She asked, “The big question is how Jamaat-e-Islami will impact society and governance in the country?” Regarding BNP leader Tarique Rahman, Curtis noted, “He has a significant challenge ahead. There has been much skepticism about him due to past corruption allegations, and he has been out of the country for 17 years.”

During the conversation, Curtis emphasized the urgent need to restore institutions, stating, “They have a lot to do to regain public trust in governance and democratic institutions. The Sheikh Hasina government has severely damaged these institutions.”

She added, “All eyes are on them to see how they will address these challenges and move the country forward.” While she described this moment as hopeful, she acknowledged that Bangladesh faces substantial challenges ahead.

On Washington’s response to the elections, Curtis suggested that the U.S. would likely welcome the relatively peaceful conduct of the elections. She noted that the U.S. has supported the interim government during this difficult period, and there is a sense of relief in American policy circles that the elections were largely free of violence.

However, she cautioned that Jamaat-e-Islami’s strengthened position could complicate matters. Questions will arise regarding their policies, which contradict many of the values the U.S. stands for, particularly concerning women’s rights.

Curtis indicated that the U.S. might adopt a “wait and see” approach to observe how the BNP government interacts with Jamaat-e-Islami. While it is a good day for democracy, many questions remain unanswered.

Regarding India’s response to the elections, Curtis remarked that New Delhi initially misjudged the changing political landscape. She said, “Of course, New Delhi had fully backed Hasina, and her departure left them dissatisfied.”

She observed that “India has only recently come to understand where the country is headed and how much damage Hasina has caused and the level of opposition she faced.” However, she noted a shift in India’s stance in recent months, citing Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s attendance at former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s funeral and meetings with new leadership as evidence of outreach.

Curtis concluded, “While I think New Delhi has come a bit late, better late than never, they have recognized that there is a new order in Bangladesh.” She stressed the interconnectedness of Bangladesh and India, making engagement essential. Ignoring Bangladesh would be impossible for India, and she expressed hope that relations would improve in the coming months.

Curtis currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program. Previously, she was Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South and Central Asia at the National Security Council from 2017 to 2021, where she coordinated U.S. policy on the Indo-Pacific and South Asia, including U.S.-India strategic cooperation and the Quad framework.