Interim government’s performance key to voter turnout in polls

The successes and failures of the current interim government are crucial ahead of the upcoming election, said Dhaka University teacher Samina Luthfa yesterday.

Given the current state of law and order, marginalised people might feel fearful or hesitant about voting, she said, adding that this issue requires serious attention.

She made these remarks while attending a roundtable discussion virtually at the BDBL building in Karwan Bazar of the capital.

The event, titled "People's Election Pulse: Feb-March 2025," was organized by the citizen's platform "Voice for Reform," consulting firm Innovision, and the Bangladesh Research Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN).

"If the interim government fails, voter turnout may decrease. However, if it succeeds, the election dynamics will change significantly. If the government is only partially successful, the public may lean towards the party that has demonstrated some level of success and effectiveness," said Samina Luthfa.

Activist Saiyed Abdullah said young voters, particularly those who belong to Gen Z, tend to change their decisions quickly. Their voting preferences are more individual-centric rather than party-based. In the past, young voters showed reluctance to participate in elections. In 2024, a dummy election was held, but young voters did not participate at all.

He added that young people have been disengaged from voting for a long time, developing a sense of detachment from the political landscape. They want to vote but feel disconnected, as political dominance and leaders' statements seem irrelevant to them.

Sarwar Tushar, joint convenor of National Citizen Party, said Bangladesh could face a situation similar to Sri Lanka in the upcoming election. He suggested that a new political party might come to power, citing results from the Innovision survey that indicate this possibility.

Fahim Mashroor, co-convenor of Voice for Reform, conducted the event. Other speakers included Md Rubaiyath Sarwar, managing director of Innovision, and economist Jyoti Rahman.