Bangladesh Citizenship Debate: Key Political Flashpoint Ahead of Elections

As Bangladesh gears up for the February 12 national elections, the issue of dual citizenship has emerged as a contentious topic. Student activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) gathered outside the Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) to voice their concerns about the exclusion of candidates with dual nationality from the electoral process.

Political Tensions Surrounding Dual Citizenship

The BNP’s student wing, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), was vocal in its demands for the inclusion of dual citizens as candidates. These protests were met with equal criticism from other political factions. The National Citizen Party (NCP), which arose from the unrest that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, accused the BEC of bias in favor of the BNP.

Candidate Approval Process

According to Bangladeshi law, parliamentary candidates cannot hold foreign citizenship. The BEC recently concluded a nine-day appeal process regarding the nomination papers of 25 candidates concerning their dual citizenship status. Ultimately, the commission approved 23 nominations while rejecting 2.

• 10 candidates from the BNP were approved.
• 4 candidates from the Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party, were also accepted.
• 1 candidate from the NCP was allowed to contest despite questions about dual citizenship.
• 7 candidates from smaller parties or as independents were included.

The NCP pointed out that one of its candidates had not disclosed his dual citizenship status, leading to the party withdrawing his nomination.

Allegations of Bias

Accusations of bias against the BEC extended beyond the BNP and NCP. Leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami met with interim government head Muhammad Yunus to express their concerns as well. Jamaat’s deputy chief, Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher, emphasized the importance of the commission resisting political pressure.

NCP’s party convener, Nahid Islam, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the BEC had deviated from its legal obligations under pressure from the BNP.

Constitutional Context

Article 66(2) of the Bangladeshi Constitution disqualifies individuals holding foreign citizenship from political office. However, interpretations of this Article have led to disputes about whether candidates need to formally renounce their foreign citizenship before nominations.

• Affidavits and verbal assurances of renunciation have been accepted as valid.
• Concerns have arisen about the selectivity of these interpretations, with some claiming it favors certain political parties.

Calls for Legal Review

Political analysts have voiced concerns regarding the ethical implications of allowing dual citizens to run for office. They argue that such decisions not only breach constitutional protocols but could also compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

If the perceptions of bias persist, it could undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections. Analysts warn that any perceived unfairness may lead to public mistrust in the electoral system. The stakes are high as Bangladesh approaches a crucial political juncture.