Electoral violence in Bangladesh: Does a confrontational bipolar political system matter?

Abstract

Focusing on the confrontational bipolar political system of Bangladesh, this paper attempts to examine electoral violence, electoral accountability, and the challenge of a ‘credible’ election. In order to understand the electoral environment and the failure of peaceful power transition, the paper addresses the following question: How does the confrontational bipolar political system of Bangladesh promote electoral violence? A key objective is to examine how political behaviour, focusing on a winner-takes-all power game, promotes electoral violence in Bangladesh. The paper aims to construct an advanced conceptual and practical understanding of issues related to elections, violence, and the political culture of Bangladesh.