It's hard to be hopeful about the upcoming election

Elections constitute one of the most important pillars of any democracy. It is a crucial indicator that can help judge a country's democratic standards.

The last election held in Bangladesh in 2014 was far from ideal, with most of the MPs elected unopposed. As for the next election, the level playing field remains elusive with only weeks to go until Election Day. The way the police and the administration are behaving is hardly impartial.

Those responsible for conducting the election have a duty to ensure that it is a free and fair one. Otherwise, people will remain hopeless in the face of violence that we have already witnessed as soon as campaigning kicked off.