Website launched showcasing major political parties’ election manifestos since 1991

Ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election, a website has been launched featuring the election manifestos of major political parties that have contested parliamentary elections since 1991, as part of an important research project.

The website, created under the research project titled “Political Party Manifestos in Bangladesh Elections”, has preserved and published the manifestos, published by various parties in all national elections held after 1991.

In addition, the manifestos already published for the 13th National Parliamentary Election to be held on 12 February have also been added to this database.

The address of the website is https://www.votemanifesto.com/

The researchers of the project are distinguished political scientist Prof Ali Riaz and writer and researcher MM Musa.

The purpose of the website is to help researchers, journalists and ordinary citizens review and analyse the promises and policies made by various political parties in their election manifestos in the elections held since 1991.

For this purpose, an easily accessible and information-based platform has been created by collecting the manifestos published during different elections.

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The research project description stated that elections are a fundamental and essential part of a democratic system. In a parliamentary democratic system, citizens elect their representatives to the legislature through national elections. Free, fair and participatory elections pave the way for citizens to actively participate in the governance of the state.

In addition to nominating candidates, almost every political party publishes an election manifesto, which outlines the party's ideological position, policy vision, and future programs.

An election manifesto is considered a document of a party's commitment to the citizens.

In that sense, the manifesto is also an important yardstick in assessing the progress of the party's subsequent activities and implementation of its promises after coming to power through elections.

Prof Ali Riaz is a distinguished professor in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University, USA, and president of the American Institute of Bangladesh (AIBS).

He is currently serving as special assistant to the chief adviser in the advisory capacity.

On the other hand, MM Musa is a writer and researcher. In his professional life, he has worked as a journalist and has been writing regularly in various media outlets in the country on development, social change, and the livelihoods of marginalised communities.

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