Emerging Trend of Ballot-Based Succession in Bangladesh

Abstract

During the first decade of Pakistan (of which Bangladesh was a part from 1947 to 1971), a trend of undemocratic succession gained ground under an ostensibly parliamentary system. With the military's ascendancy to power through a coup in 1958 the trend was reinforced. In fact, the coup marked the beginning of a protracted militarised era that led to the dismemberment of Pakistan and emergence of Bangladesh as a sovereign country. The bloody birth of Bangladesh could not turn the pattern of succession around; instead, the new country witnessed a prolonged era of military rule. However, a successful mass uprising against a quasi-military regime opened the door of ballot-based succession in Bangladesh. The experience of successions on the basis of ballot since the 1990s can be construed as an emerging trend which is likely to be further consolidated through the next few parliamentary elections.