People to emerge as frontline guardians of democracy: Debapriya

The people of Bangladesh will emerge as the frontline guardians of democracy in the days ahead, Citizen’s Platform Convener Debapriya Bhattacharya said on Thursday, citing the country’s evolving political and social transformation.

“The people of Bangladesh are far more aware and far more capable than before. In the days ahead, safeguarding democracy will not require anyone else, the people of this country will themselves act as the principal guardians of democracy,” Debapriya said at a press briefing.

The event titled “National Election 2026: Citizens’ Recommendations for the Next Government”, organised by the Citizen’s Platform at a city hotel.

Debapriya said sustainable development and positive change in the country cannot be achieved through policy frameworks alone.

To that end, alongside policy recommendations, the Citizen’s Platform has now introduced a national programme to monitor policy implementation. Under this initiative, the extent to which the recommendations are implemented over time will be closely tracked.

“Policy advice alone does not ensure implementation; oversight is essential,” he said, adding that education, health, social protection, and broader economic and social policy frameworks developed by the platform will be monitored through a ‘Reform Tracker’.

Debapriya also said the Reform Tracker will not be limited to the Citizen’s Platform’s proposals alone, but will also monitor how far political parties fulfill their manifesto commitments related to citizens’ development after the election.

Noting that civil society is currently more conscious than at any previous time, Debapriya said citizens will play the most decisive role in the country’s democratic transition. With a focus on improving people’s living standards, the Citizen’s Platform has structured its policy recommendations accordingly.

Later, CPD Distinguished Fellow Mustafizur Rahman presented 12 policy recommendations aimed at achieving inclusive development in Bangladesh’s future socio-economic and democratic transition, while CPD Additional Director (Research) Towfiqul Islam Khan announced a 10-point action plan to implement those recommendations.