Electoral Corruption in Bangladesh Routledge Revivals Series

This title was first published in 2001. Rigging elections in favour of those in power has become common practice in Bangladesh. The author looks at the significance of elections in this democratic state and shows how electoral corruption has damaged the process of democratic consolidation. Muhammad Yeahia Akhter reveals that both civilian and military governments have failed to obtain democratic legitamacy or credibility through free and fair elections. This study examines the nature of electioneering under non-partisan caretaker governments, and provides a source of understanding of fair electoral process for the politicians and electoral officials in Bangladesh and other democratizing polities.

Contents: Elections and electoral corruption: an introduction; Political change and developments in Bangladesh; Problems of democratization before independence (1947-1970); Military rule, elections and civilianization; Electoral politics and corruption under civilian rule; Caretaker governments and the myth of free elections; Conclusion; Appendices; Bibliography; Index.