Bangladesh’s 2024 Elections and the Trajectory of Digital Governance – Mahee Kirindigoda

*This article is originally published in the Asia Pacific Policy Observatory May 2024 Report.

Introduction

Bangladesh concluded its General Election on the 7th of January 2024 as per the current constitutional requirement, holding significant implications for the nation’s digital landscape. This research report delves into how these elections, marked by a low voter turnout and opposition boycott, might influence the trajectory of digital development in Bangladesh. We’ll explore the pre-election digital environment, focusing on the online political discourse, and analyze how the outcome might shape the future of digital governance. 

Bangladesh’s 2024 election, while marked by a low voter turnout and opposition boycott, was a significant test for the long-term vision laid out by new Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (In her new tenure).  Her previous election manifesto was Digital Bangladesh and it was an ambitious manifesto. First announced in 2008, it aimed to transform Bangladesh into a technologically advanced nation, bridging the digital divide and empowering citizens through ICT (Information and Communication Technology). In the 2024 General Election, the Manifesto was to move from Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh. 

The Awami League party, led by Hasina, won a significant victory in the 2024 Bangladeshi general election, securing their fourth consecutive term in office. The Bangladeshi digital revolution, fueled by the Awami League (the country’s oldest existing political party), gained momentum with their previous election manifesto that prioritized digital transformation. Their 2024 election manifesto continues this focus, targeting the Smart Bangladesh movement. This has been a critical point of exploration, as it is the political manifesto of the past and current governing party after the general election. 

Thus, adding validity to the unveiling impact of Bangladesh’s 2024 Election over the digital governance landscape of Bangladesh.

Digital Bangladesh

The Centre for Research and Information (CRI) is a not-for-profit policy research organization that aims to create a platform for public discussion on important matters of national policy in Bangladesh. Quoting the following text from the strategic paper by CRI explains that this Digital Bangladesh plan was a success through its achievement of many milestones.

“When the Digital Bangladesh Efforts got underway seven years ago only 20 million Bangladeshis were accessing mobile phones. Today that number has grown to more than 120 million and is still climbing. A total of 5,275 digital centers have been set up across the country that already served people 120 million times with services like registration of 70 million births and providing essential information to more than 2 million overseas job-seekers. Around 1.3 million ICT professionals, along with 10,000 ICT entrepreneurs have become self-reliant, helping the country earn around $300 million over the years and turning Bangladesh into an emerging hub for ICT outsourcing. The total size of the ICT market in Bangladesh was merely $26 million in 2008 which now has reached $600 million.” 

The Digital Bangladesh vision rested on four key pillars – Human Resource Development, Digital Government, Connectivity and Infrastructure, and ICT Industry Promotion. This has been critically analyzed by scholars such as Syed Ahsanul Alam, The Chairman-Center for Good Governance, University of Chittagong, who describes the vision of Digital Bangladesh As an existing “misunderstood concept” by the policymakers. As Alam explains, Digital Bangladesh emphasizes the use of ICT in Governance and service delivery organs both in the public and private sectors. But the vision of Digital Bangladesh encompasses the whole arena of a knowledge-based Digital Economy. (Alam,2009). He argues it is a conceptual error made by the policymakers.

In the manifesto of the 2024 election, Awami League has mentioned that their focus this term is to transform from Digital Bangladesh to Smart Bangladesh. Technological capabilities are essential to survive global competition in the fourth industrial revolution era. That is why we announced the building of Smart Bangladesh has four pillars – Smart Citizens, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society. The Awami League government has worked in every field to establish Smart Bangladesh. As reflected by Awami, “If elected by the people’s vote, we will make Bangladesh a hunger-poverty-free smart country by 2041, Inshallah.”

Pre-Election Digital Landscape

Bangladesh boasts a vibrant online sphere teeming with young voices, particularly young reformers. Social media platforms, dominated by Facebook, play a crucial role in shaping political narratives. Political parties actively leverage these platforms to target specific demographics with tailored messages. However, concerns regarding the potential stifling of dissent under the 2023 Cyber Security Act (CSA) still linger. The government has formed the new “National Cyber Security Agency” which will replace the previous “Digital Security Agency”, according to an official gazette published on November 17, 2023. Moreover, Amnesty International holds concerns that the law retains sections used to silence criticism of the government. This suggests the government might be using the law to limit freedom of expression and political dissent. Amnesty has informed the public that the Act might grant law enforcement broad powers of arrest, investigation, and detainment which could be misused to target critics. While it is difficult to say for certain why the Bangladeshi government adopted new cybersecurity laws in 2023, Amnesty International’s letter suggests it was not purely for security reasons. 

It is evident that the passing of the Bill was conducted with limited time available, and it is noted that after 6 days of the feedback deadline, the Act was passed by the cabinet. Some of the news articles show the government allegedly using laws such as CSA. Such media reports explained that the government of Bangladesh used the CyberSecurity Act as a tool to suppress opposition and criticism during the national elections. The new CyberSecurity Act, instead of promoting online expression, retained most of the repressive language of the previous Digital Security Act, which was used to criminalize thousands of online critics. The authorities targeted journalists exposing state abuses and shut down critical media outlets using this act. Additionally, the government used the Act to charge activist Shamim Ashraf for designing posters critical of the local government, demonstrating how it was employed to stifle dissent and criticism.

With the enforcement of the Cyber Security Act, it would remain a threat to Bangladesh’s freedom of online expression beyond the election.

The 2024 General Election’s Possible Impact on Digital Governance of Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s 20th general election saw the participation of almost 120 million registered voters chosen amongst 1,969 candidates. Notably, 28 registered parties and 437 independent candidates contested for the 300-seat parliament. However, sixteen political parties, including the major opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), abstained. The voter turnout in the 2024 election in Bangladesh was approximately 41.8%. This was considered low compared to some past elections. The acceptance of the BNP, the current ruling party’s manifesto by voters, can be inferred from the election results, which saw the ruling Awami League winning a majority of seats in the parliament. The election was observed to be peaceful, free, and fair by many international observers. 

The government’s vision in smart technologies is underscored in their ruling party manifesto, but the preparation of launching the vision started well ahead by the Bangladeshi government as reflected in their Budget 2023-2024. About six months ahead of the general election, the government had proposed the national budget for the next five-year term, primarily aligning with the ruling Awami League’s vision of a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 and considering the upcoming election. The budget’s theme, “Towards Smart Bangladesh Sustaining the Development Achievements in a Decade and a Half”, mirrored the AL’s declaration from its 22nd triennial council in December of the previous year. It is a clear indication that the 2024 General Election of Bangladesh will likely shift the Digital Governance Landscape of Bangladesh.

Both the proposed budget and the ruling party’s (AL) declaration share a common vision of establishing a sustainable, innovative, intelligent, and knowledge-based Smart Bangladesh. In Mustafa Kamal’s budget speech, the then-Finance Minister outlined the realization of the dreams of “Smart Bangladesh” based on four main pillars: smart citizen, smart government, smart society, and smart economy, echoing the sentiments expressed in the AL’s declaration. He also echoed the aspirations outlined in the AL’s declaration regarding electricity production goals and increasing social safety net coverage. The finance minister expressed hopes for achieving various targets in “Smart Bangladesh”, including specific economic indicators, a fully digitized economy, and improved accessibility to citizen services like healthcare. Furthermore, he emphasized the establishment of a paperless, cashless society and highlighted the importance of justice and equality in building a “Smart Bangladesh”, aligning with the AL’s pledges for sustainable and inclusive development. To prepare for the realization of this vision, a special allocation of at least Tk 100 crore was set aside for research, innovation, and development works to empower youths and women in building a “Smart Bangladesh”.

The previous Digital Bangladesh initiative and the current Smart Bangladesh initiative have similarities and differences. It may be seen as a continuation of the Digital Bangladesh initiative as well. With AL continuing to be the majority party in the new parliament, it is expected the Smart Bangladesh vision will lead Bangladesh’s digital (governance) transformation.

In this analysis, we identify the major differences between the Digital Bangladesh and Smart Bangladesh initiatives as follows:

Focus and Scope

• Digital Bangladesh: The Digital Bangladesh initiative primarily focuses on leveraging information and communication technology (ICT) to improve government services, increase transparency, and enhance connectivity.
• Smart Bangladesh: The Smart Bangladesh initiative expands beyond ICT to incorporate advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, big data analysis, etc., to create a more interconnected and efficient ecosystem.

Objectives

• Digital Bangladesh: The main objectives of Digital Bangladesh are to digitize government services, promote e-governance, and enhance digital literacy among citizens.
• Smart Bangladesh: Smart Bangladesh aims to utilize technology not only for digital transformation but also for sustainable economic growth, improved governance, and enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens.

Technological Integration

• Digital Bangladesh: Digital Bangladesh primarily focuses on the integration of ICT solutions into government operations and public services.
• Smart Bangladesh: Smart Bangladesh integrates a broader range of technologies such as IoT, AI, blockchain, and big data analytics to create a more interconnected and intelligent infrastructure.

Citizen Engagement

• Digital Bangladesh: Digital Bangladesh emphasizes improving citizen access to government services and information through digital platforms.
• Smart Bangladesh: Smart Bangladesh goes a step further by focusing on citizen engagement through smart technologies that enhance public services, improve decision-making processes, and create a more interactive and participatory environment.

Policy Framework

• Digital Bangladesh: Digital Bangladesh initiatives are supported by policies that promote digitalization and e-governance.
• Smart Bangladesh: Smart Bangladesh requires a more comprehensive policy framework that addresses the governance of emerging technologies, data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical use of advanced technologies.
  
  Overall, while Digital Bangladesh lays the foundation for digital transformation, Smart Bangladesh builds upon this foundation by incorporating advanced technologies and a more holistic approach to create a smarter and more sustainable nation.

What is expected in the Smart Bangladesh Initiative?

The Smart Bangladesh initiative aims to transform Bangladesh into a technologically advanced and sustainable society. Here’s how it aspires to change Bangladesh:

• Tech-driven development: It builds on the successes of the Digital Bangladesh project, aiming for smart cities, agriculture, healthcare, education, and more. This could improve efficiency and access to services across the country.
• Inclusive growth: Smart Bangladesh focuses on bridging the digital divide, ensuring everyone benefits from technological advancements, not just the wealthy or urban populations.
• Improved governance: A key pillar is “Smart Government,” which could streamline bureaucracy, increase transparency, and enhance citizen services.
• Sustainable future: Sustainability is a focus, aiming for eco-friendly practices alongside technological progress.
• Economic prosperity: The initiative envisions a strong economy powered by technology and innovation, potentially leading to higher GDP and poverty reduction.

Challenges for the Smart Bangladesh Initiative

However, realizing the vision of the Smart Bangladesh Initiative does not come without challenges.

• Infrastructure Constraints: Building the necessary infrastructure to support advanced technologies like IoT, AI, and big data analytics can be a significant challenge. This includes ensuring reliable Internet connectivity, data centers, and digital infrastructure across the country.
• Policy Gaps: Developing comprehensive policies and regulations to govern the use of emerging technologies, protect citizen rights, ensure data privacy, and address cybersecurity concerns is essential but challenging.
• Socioeconomic Barriers: Bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all segments of society have access to and can benefit from smart technologies is a challenge. Socioeconomic disparities can hinder the adoption and implementation of smart solutions.
• Citizen Engagement: Promoting citizen engagement and participation in smart initiatives, as well as ensuring that the benefits of these technologies reach all citizens, can be challenging. Education and awareness programs may be needed to increase digital literacy and encourage participation.
• Collaboration and Coordination: Effective collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, and civil society is crucial for the successful implementation of smart initiatives. Coordinating efforts and resources across different stakeholders can be a challenge.
• Resource Constraints: Securing the necessary funding and resources for the development and implementation of smart technologies can be a challenge, especially in a resource-constrained environment.
• Data Management and Privacy: Managing and safeguarding the vast amounts of data generated by smart technologies, ensuring data privacy, and addressing concerns about data security and misuse are significant challenges.
• Technology Adoption: Encouraging the adoption of new technologies and ensuring that users are comfortable with and can effectively utilize these technologies pose challenges. Training programs and capacity-building efforts may be required.

Addressing these challenges will be crucial for the successful implementation of the Smart Bangladesh initiative and for realizing the vision of a technologically advanced and sustainable nation. Collaboration, strategic planning, and a focus on inclusivity and sustainability are key to overcoming these obstacles.

Critiques of the Smart Bangladesh Initiative

For academic critics, opposition parties, the media, and individuals, the main criticism of the “Smart Bangladesh” vision has been the absence of a crucial component, Smart Politics. They argue that intelligent political strategies and a culture of smart governance are vital for the realization of the vision’s goals. 

Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the digital regime emphasized in the vision. While it promotes digitalization and technological progress, issues such as the implementation of the Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA) have stirred unease and discontent among the populace.

In addition to technological hurdles, the critique sheds light on political obstacles hindering the vision’s success. These include opposition parties adhering to outdated forms of political activism, the involvement of student leaders in detrimental activities, and media sensationalizing political conflicts rather than fostering constructive dialogue.

Moreover, questions arise regarding the efficacy of measures aimed at curbing corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies within the system. There are apprehensions about the prevalence of money laundering and violence in the political landscape, posing significant challenges to the realization of the “Smart Bangladesh” vision.

Amidst these critiques, there is a resounding call for cultivating smart thinking among citizens and nurturing a culture of innovative imagination in the younger generation. It is believed that fostering these qualities is indispensable for the successful implementation of the “Smart Bangladesh” vision. 

The Multidimensional Landscape of Digital Governance: Why Smart Bangladesh Needs Holistic Support

Development and Digital Governance are complex and multifaceted endeavors. It’s not simply about economic growth, but rather a holistic transformation that encompasses social, cultural, political, and economic spheres. Internet governance in Bangladesh refers to the development and implementation of policies, norms, and practices that shape how the Internet is used, accessed, and regulated within the country. It’s a multi-stakeholder process involving the government, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, academia, and technical communities.  

Bangladesh IGF (BIGF) plays a vital role in promoting multi-stakeholder participation and informed dialogue on Internet governance in Bangladesh. Their work contributes to a more inclusive, secure, and prosperous online environment for all Bangladeshi citizens. Through the Bangladesh School of Internet Governance (bdSIG), BIGF has provided training and capacity-building opportunities for stakeholders. This empowers them to participate effectively in Internet governance discussions and decision-making processes.BIGF’s engagement with ICANN on the “.বাংলা” TLD and the Neo-Brahmi Generation Panel (NBGP) demonstrates their ability to influence policy changes that benefit Bangladesh. By organizing national consultations and participating in global forums like the UN Internet Governance Forum (UN IGF), BIGF has raised awareness about Internet governance issues among Bangladeshi stakeholders. (BIGF, n.d.)

The success of the “Smart Bangladesh” initiative hinges on recognizing this multidimensionality and securing broad-based support across these various domains. The “SMART Bangladesh Vision 2041: Concept of a Sustainable Developed Country” underscores the critical role of social, cultural, political, and economic backing in realizing this ambitious vision. 

Building a Socially Inclusive Smart Nation

Social support is the bedrock of Smart Bangladesh. Imagine a society actively engaged with the initiative, its citizens fully embracing the vision. This necessitates:

• Raising Awareness: Spreading the word about the benefits and opportunities a smart and sustainable future holds. Educating the public on how smart technologies and practices can improve their lives.
• Empowering Citizens: Enabling individuals to actively participate by providing them with the necessary skills and resources to adopt these technologies and practices in their daily routines.

Aligning Culture with Smart Development

Cultural support ensures Smart Bangladesh doesn’t come at the cost of Bangladesh’s unique identity. Here’s how to strike a balance:

• Preserving Heritage: Safeguarding and promoting Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage while integrating cutting-edge technologies seamlessly.
• Culturally Sensitive Development: Guaranteeing that the nation’s cultural identity remains strong and is not compromised under the ongoing modernization effort.

Political Will for a Smart Future

Political support forms the backbone of Smart Bangladesh. The initiative should be continued even if the ruling party changes. We have noticed that many developing nations have issues with the continuation of initiatives due to political support. The low voter turnout and opposition boycott might influence the implementation of “Smart Bangladesh.” Thus to succeed in this Initiative it is required to gain the political support of other political parties as well. Engagement and political transparency are indeed valuable components of the future of the Smart Bangladesh initiative.

• Policy and Frameworks: Creating policies, regulations, and frameworks that pave the way for a smooth transition towards a smart and sustainable future.
• Resource Allocation: Demonstrating strong political will by prioritizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and allocating resources effectively for their achievement.
• Infrastructure Development: Ensuring the government provides the essential infrastructure, such as reliable Internet connectivity, to facilitate the implementation of smart initiatives.

Fueling Growth with Smart Investments

Economic support fuels the engine of Smart Bangladesh. Imagine a robust economy driving innovation and progress:

• Smart Investments: Investing in smart technologies, infrastructure development, and human capital to foster economic growth and long-term sustainability.
• Private Sector Partnership: Encouraging active participation and innovation from the private sector in developing smart solutions.
• Aligned Policies: Ensuring that economic policies align seamlessly with the goals of Smart Bangladesh, creating a conducive environment for sustainable development.

By harnessing the collective power of social, cultural, political, and economic support, Smart Bangladesh can achieve its ambitious goals.  A multidimensional approach that fosters public engagement, cultural sensitivity, strong political leadership, and smart economic investments will pave the way for Bangladesh’s transformation into a truly smart and sustainable developed nation by 2041.

Conclusion

This essay provides a thorough examination of Bangladesh’s 2024 elections and their potential impact on the trajectory of digital governance, notably the “Smart Bangladesh” initiative which the Newly Elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina advocated in her election manifesto and where she has passed the budget in her earlier tenure budget. It adeptly highlights crucial aspects such as the pre-election digital landscape, the pillars of the vision, and potential challenges. The Cyber Security Act passed by her government in the name of facilitating the Smart Bangladesh Initiative has also received much criticism during her previous tenure. However, to fortify the report and ensure the success of “Smart Bangladesh,” a deeper exploration into several critical areas is warranted. 

Firstly, a multi-stakeholder engagement approach is essential. Beyond the government, the active involvement of opposition parties, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, and academia is paramount. Incorporating diverse viewpoints can foster national ownership, inclusivity, and innovation, leading to a more sustainable vision.

Transparency and open governance are equally vital. By promoting open data, organizing public forums, and fostering an independent media landscape, the government can enhance accountability, citizen engagement, and trust in the initiative.

Addressing perceptions of political bias is another imperative. Depoliticizing the initiative and framing it as a national transformation project can mitigate risks associated with political shifts, ensuring continuity and broad support.

Capacity building and public awareness are also critical. Investing in digital literacy programs and conducting public awareness campaigns can empower citizens to actively participate in and benefit from “Smart Bangladesh”.

In conclusion, by embracing a multi-stakeholder approach, prioritizing transparency, depoliticizing the initiative, and investing in capacity building and public awareness, Bangladesh can ensure the longevity and success of the “Smart Bangladesh” initiative. This collaborative, inclusive vision holds the key to unlocking Bangladesh’s full potential as a smart and developed nation, transcending political cycles and fostering sustainable progress for all its citizens.

Written by Mahee Kirindigoda (Edited by Charlotte Fang Hendro)