501 Engineers Question Interim Government’s Legitimacy, Call for Election Boycott

A total of 501 engineers, based both in Bangladesh and abroad and identifying themselves as believers in the ideals of the Great Liberation War, have rejected the upcoming national election, describing it as a “sham vote,” and have called for its boycott.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the engineers said that a free, fair, and credible election is not possible under the current interim government, arguing that the prevailing political environment obstructs voters’ freedom of expression and participation.

In the statement, the engineers alleged that the government has banned or restricted opposition political forces, while many leaders and activists have faced cases and arrests, creating an atmosphere of fear across the country. They said that elections held under such conditions would not be acceptable either domestically or internationally.

The engineers further stated that organizing an election without ensuring democracy, human rights, media freedom, and the rule of law could pose serious risks to the country’s political and socio-economic stability. They also expressed concern over the security of minorities and women, instability in the industrial sector, and the management of state resources.

Calling for a day-long boycott of voting on February 12, the engineers’ platform urged civil society members, students and teachers, workers, businesspeople, and professionals to take a stand against what they termed a “deceptive election.”

No immediate response was available from the government regarding the statement. Political analysts say that such positions taken by professional groups ahead of the election could further intensify political debate in the country.

The statement was signed by 501 engineers, including Engineer Md. Abdus Sabur, Engineer Shafikur Rahman, Engineer Najmul Ahsan, Engineer Md. Hossain, Engineer Md. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Engineer Snehashis Bhowmik, Engineer Abul Hossain, Engineer Nuruzzaman, Engineer Moniruzzaman Mohon, Engineer H. Mujib, Engineer Zahidul Islam, Engineer Aminul Haque Palash, Engineer Shahadat Hossain, Engineer Khokon Chandra, Engineer Golam Rabbani Shamim, Engineer Dr. Nazrul Islam, Engineer Md. Dolon, Engineer Sameer, Engineer Dr. Amir Hossain, among others.