Do we really need elections?

I am yet to vote in any election in my own country-Bangladesh. Voted only once back in 1995 for a council election when I was a foreign student, studying at London. Served for a month at the Bangladesh Election Commission back in 2001. During verification I found that the horse stable number inside Razarbag Police Line was used as voter address. While serving as a Magistrate during a bye-election in 1998, nearly came under attack from supporters of a local MP in Barishal for not recognizing him! I was preventing his supporters from stuffing the ballot box.

The 11th Parliamentary election in Bangladesh is just more than a week away. I am now gripped with this idea: do we really need elections, in Bangladesh or in any part of the world?

All over the world, the trust in democracy and politicians are waning. We live in world of mutual mistrust. People’s trust on the state, development, democracy, human rights, good governance, and any topic you name: is not trust-worthy anymore. This is demand side story. Take the supply side scenario: politicians do not trust each other, in fact all ruling circles have immense mistrust about each other. These are reflected in palace conspiracies and endless fight for power. Like musical chairs, power changes hands but at the end the delivery remains unfulfilled, unsatisfactory.

So why go for elections which simply widens the divisions in the society? Why go for elections when only cosmetic changes will happen in every five or four years? Why vote for corrupt politicians, knowing fully well that they are destined to fail? Why waste time and energy discussing about democratic principles and values when we know that these are mere tools of fooling people?

I am beginning to think that the root of all world problems lie with the people: the most unreliable bunch of folks, where I also belong. The only consolation for me is that I didn’t vote and will not vote to be fooled.

The people lost their freedom during the formation of the state when they consented to elect their representatives. Peoples’ representatives are now more powerful than the people.

It is said that you cannot fool the people all the time. I am not sure why we are remaining fool for so many long years!