Bangladesh has fallen to 100th place in the 2024 Democracy Index, a drop of 25 positions, reflecting serious declines in democratic quality following a controversial election and political unrest. With an unprecedented global score decline of 1.44 points, the country faces challenges amid rising authoritarianism worldwide, as highlighted by the EIU.

In the latest Democracy Index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Bangladesh has experienced a notable decline, plummeting 25 positions to the 100th spot out of 167 countries. The nation is categorized as a hybrid regime, now positioned towards the lower end of this classification. This decline is attributed to factors including a “rigged election, the ousting of the prime minister, and political unrest,” resulting in significant global visibility regarding its democratic regression.

Bangladesh recorded the most substantial score decrease globally, diminishing by 1.44 points on a scale of 0 to 10. Other countries on the index exhibit varied standings; India ranks 41st, Bhutan at 79th, Nepal at 96th, while Pakistan and Afghanistan rank 124th and 167th respectively, with the latter being the lowest in the world.

The EIU report underscores a general retreat in global democracy, indicating a rise in the power of autocracies. Joan Hoey, director of the Democracy Index, remarked, “The world’s democracies are struggling.” The index evaluates democracies based on electoral processes, civil liberties, governmental functionality, participation, and political culture, assigning classifications ranging from full democracies to authoritarian regimes.

Norway leads the index with a score of 9.81, while Afghanistan languishes at a mere 0.25. Notably, nine of the top ten democracies are located in Europe, with New Zealand being the only non-European country in the upper echelon. Conversely, poorer performers included countries like Pakistan, South Korea, and Kuwait.

During Bangladesh’s general election in January 2024, allegations arose against the ruling party for stifling dissent, restricting media freedoms, and intimidating opposition candidates. Despite instances of election manipulation, grassroots movements, particularly those led by youth, have emerged, signaling discontent with traditional political entities.

Moreover, the protests that resulted in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 illuminated existing sectarian tensions, leading to violent incidents against minorities. The EIU notes that the interim government faces significant pressure to conduct elections but is focusing on necessary reforms to reinstate democratic institutions, which may postpone the electoral process until after 2025.

In summary, Bangladesh’s position in the Democracy Index has sharply declined due to political turmoil and election irregularities. The country now ranks 100th, reflecting broader global trends of democratic regression and the rise of autocracies. Key factors include governmental repression and youth-led movements striving for change, which may shape the future landscape of Bangladeshi politics.

Original Source: www.thedailystar.net

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