This article argues that Bangladesh’s democratic deficit extends beyond electoral processes. Authors Mirza M Hassan and Aishwarya Sanjukta Roy Proma contend that citizens are largely excluded from governance post-election, fostering elite dominance. They propose a “collective citizen democracy” model, advocating direct participation and transforming local governance into constitutionally empowered citizen assemblies. The article urges the current interim government to implement these reforms, emphasizing their crucial role in building institutional accountability, fostering public trust, and achieving genuine democratic transformation.
This article argues that Bangladesh’s democratic deficit extends beyond electoral processes. Authors Mirza M Hassan and Aishwarya Sanjukta Roy Proma contend that citizens are largely excluded from governance post-election, fostering elite dominance. They propose a “collective citizen democracy” model, advocating direct participation and transforming local governance into constitutionally empowered citizen assemblies. The article urges the current interim government to implement these reforms, emphasizing their crucial role in building institutional accountability, fostering public trust, and achieving genuine democratic transformation.
