Political parties serve as the primary democratic institutions in every democracy. One of the essential functions of party law is the institutionalisation of multi-party politics, which is a necessary condition for democratic governance. Bangladesh’s political culture has been deeply shaped by its experiences under British and Pakistani rule. Across the Indian subcontinent, political parties historically emerged as platforms for struggles over rights, freedom, and justice. Party chieftains were once revered for their vision, charisma, bravery, and sacrifices for the national cause.
Following independence, Bangladesh experienced both change and continuity in state power, political institutions, party organisation, and leadership dynamics. Since the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991, two major political parties have consistently vied for state power through elections. The primary objective of this write-up is not to examine the existence of political parties or their formal structures, but rather to explore why democracy within political parties in Bangladesh remains largely uninstitutionalised.
The efficiency of any political system is largely determined by the role played by its party system. Political parties shape the political environment by fostering political life and socialisation. They help build national unity by transcending cultural, religious, regional, and other social divisions. Political socialisation involves the development of shared values and beliefs that promote national integration. Political mobilisation and participation are therefore crucial mechanisms through which parties empower citizens and sustain democratic processes.
Bangladesh operates under a multi-party political system, with the number of political parties increasing steadily over time. Prior to the second imposition of military rule on 24 March 1982, approximately fifty political parties were active in the country. By early 1991, this number had increased to more than one hundred. At present, over 150 political parties exist, encompassing right-wing, left-wing, and liberal ideologies.
Among the most prominent and influential political parties are the Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party, and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh. In addition, parties such as the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, Workers Party, Gono Forum, National Awami Party, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and Khelafat Majlish operate nationwide or in specific regions. In recent years, newly formed parties such as the Amar Bangladesh Party, Nagorik Oikkyo, Gonodhikar Parishad, and the National Citizens Party have also emerged within Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Bangladeshi political parties are characteristically top-down and highly centralised. Power is concentrated in the hands of a few senior leaders, while ordinary members are discouraged from active participation in decision-making processes. Party organisations often function in an authoritarian manner, where loyalty to leadership and adherence to tradition are valued more than open debate or critical discussion. Beneath this structure, there exist hidden mechanisms of control, including suspensions, expulsions, and forms of internal repression, which work to enforce conformity. These practices obstruct inclusiveness and transparency and foster a patrimonial organisational culture that undermines the prospects for genuine intra-party democracy.
In Bangladeshi politics, party councillors are often denied the opportunity to exercise their voting rights in leadership selection. Instead, traditional practices prevail, whereby senior leaders announce a consensus nomination for party president or leadership positions. Councillors are typically asked to raise their hands in approval, rendering formal voting ineffective. Grassroots party members are excluded from meaningful participation in policy formulation. Primary members and supporters are informed of decisions only after they have been finalised by the central committee. Consultation with grassroots levels is largely absent.
In practice, during party council sessions, the selection of top-tier leadership is usually finalised by the party president. Councillors delegate authority to the president to form the new committee, leaving little scope for broader consultation. Consequently, leadership selection becomes highly centralised, shaped primarily by the personal preferences of the party president.
Political organisations in Bangladesh also display significant disparities in the knowledge and skills of party leaders and workers. Party members come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds, many of whom lack adequate awareness of governance-related issues. This results in a substantial gap in the capacity of party members to contribute effectively to the promotion and implementation of good governance.
Within Bangladesh’s political culture, central party leadership often overlooks genuinely popular grassroots leaders in favour of nominating individuals with wealth and influence. This preference is frequently driven by expectations of financial or logistical support during elections. Party fund management remains one of the most opaque aspects of party organisation. Although parties maintain official accounts and submit annual financial reports to the Election Commission, internal financial policies are rarely disclosed to party members. At the grassroots level, financial decisions are controlled by a small group of committee members, while processes of fund collection and allocation at district, thana, and union levels lack transparency.
Contemporary party structures are largely dominated by senior leaders at all levels. The integration of young leaders into key organisational roles has progressed slowly, limiting opportunities for emerging leaders to play meaningful roles. Many senior leaders began their political careers during the Liberation War or the early 1980s and have remained in leadership positions for decades, with no formal retirement mechanisms. In some cases, leaders seek to place family members in influential positions, a practice that is becoming increasingly common and further marginalising capable party activists.
Globally, leadership training is recognised as a vital component of party development. Orientation and training programmes are essential for organisational growth and political capacity-building. In Bangladesh, however, political parties lack structured, institutionalised leadership training programmes. Although international organisations occasionally conduct leadership workshops involving nominated party representatives, parties themselves have not developed consistent in-house training mechanisms.
Several central party leaders have been implicated in corrupt practices, including the sale of party positions for personal gain and exerting undue influence over government projects. Similarly, some elected representatives have engaged in financial misconduct from the outset of their tenure. Despite media exposure and allegations from the Anti-Corruption Commission, accountability has remained weak, allowing the abuse of authority to continue largely unchecked.
Political parties are fundamental to democracy and must remain accountable to the public. Advocates of intra-party democracy argue that a party’s commitment to democratic governance can be measured by its internal democratic practices. Strengthening intra-party democracy therefore strengthens democracy itself. Party constitutions and internal rules reflect a party’s ideological orientation, organisational structure, and operational processes.
It is impossible to envision democracy without political parties. Parties represent the people, act on their behalf, and exercise authority in their name. Since elected representatives vote according to party directives, party operations are inseparable from government functioning. For political parties to achieve their ultimate goal—winning and sustaining power—internal democracy is essential. It is not merely an idealistic aspiration, but a practical necessity for the welfare, stability, and long-term survival of political parties.