General Election of 1970

General Election of 1970 and the denial of power exchange
Election a method of choosing among candidates for some posts or offices in the government,
legislature and corporate bodies, for example, by the vote of those enfranchised to cast an open
or secret ballot. In all ancient communities, as most anthropological and historical studies
indicate, the institution of election in some form or other was very common. The ancient Greek
systems of governance were characterised by elections, which were held normally by lot. Many
of the native American tribes used to elect their chiefs by throwing corns into marked pots. In
ancient India, local chiefs were often elected. In the Mughal imperial system, leaders chosen by
the local people ran local government. In a district, the government appointed the faujdar (district
officer) and some other high officials and the rest were elected by people. For example, the
village people chose the muqaddam or village chief in Bengal and also the patwari or rent
collector. The pargana kazis (thana judicial officer) and thanadars (thana officers) were also
appointed on the recommendation of the village muqaddams. The village panchayet seems to be
the most glaring example of the elective character of local governance until 1793, when it was
formally abolished by lord cornwallis. But panchaye as an informal institution continued to
operate until the local government system was evolved in the 1870s and 1880s.
The rise of modern nation states and political parties seeking state power has eventually resulted
in the transformation of the traditional mode of elections. Elections are now inseparable from the
growth of democratic forms of government. It began with the birth of the parliamentary process
in England in the 13th century, followed by gradual regularisation by acts prescribing the
frequency of elections (eg, The Trinnial Act of 1694 and the Septennial Act of 1716), and by
successive reform bills widening the franchise in the 19th century and by the adoption of the
secret ballot in 1872, and finally by introducing adult franchise in 1928.
The election system in Bengal, however, did not evolve the same way. The colonial rulers
subverted the traditional system of election by abolishing local government institutions like the
village chief, panchayet, patwari, amin, munsef, thanadar and qazi. All these institutions were
traditionally operated through popular consent and co-operation. The elective institution of the
western type was introduced in 1868 by enacting a municipal act (Act VI) providing for a
municipal committee, two-thirds of whose members were elected and one-third nominated. Only
the rate-payers of the municipalities were enfranchised to elect the members. The earliest Bengal
municipalities to have elections were Serampore, Burdwan and Krishnanagar (1868). It was the
Act III of 1884 that extended the elective system to all the important municipalities of Bengal,
including Dhaka. Under the same Act the district committees and local boards were formed
partly on the basis of election and partly by nomination.
The period following the introduction of a limited electoral system, in municipalities and rural
areas, was marked by the extension of enfranchisement to rural areas. The electoral system was
introduced at the level of legislative councils, both central and provincial, under the Government
of India Act of 1909. The franchise and the elective bodies were further extended under the
1
Government of India Act of 1919. From 1909 began elections on communal and occupational
basis. Based on separate electorates, elections at local, municipal and national levels were held,
though irregularly, from 1920 onward. The provincial election, held in 1937 under the
Government of India Act of 1935, was marked by extensive franchise, though not universal till
then. The election 1954 to the provincial legislature in East Bengal was the first to be held on the
basis of universal franchise and last on the basis of separate electorates.
The people of Bengal showed an interest in elections from the time of its introduction. In fact,
the election system was introduced in the municipality of Dhaka and in the district and rural
boards in response to a popular demand spearheaded by an organisation called the Dhaka
People's Association. Every extension of franchise granted subsequently was in response to
public demand. But, in spite of people's interest in the representative system, the western type of
election could never be transplanted successfully in Bengal, or for that matter, in India, for
elections seem to have always been manipulated to serve the colonial, communal or other
sectarian interests. Thus, in the interest of preserving colonial control, the government always
tried to sway the elections in favour of the loyal elite classes, and the landholding class in
particular. Both elected and nominated members on the committees and boards at municipal and
local levels were predominantly landholders up to 1935. Even in the elections of 1937 they
maintained their predominance.
The history of elections, has shown progressive political polarisation. Until 1920 candidates
contested elections individually and independent of any party affiliation. Even in the elections of
1937, though held on party lines, independent candidates emerged as the largest group. Out of
250 seats, 81 were won by independent candidates (Muslim 43 and Hindu 39). Among the
candidates nominated by parties, National Congress got 52 seats, Muslim League 39, Krishak
Praja Party 36, and the rest went to various sectarian groups. The election results show that the
candidates were not yet sharply polarised politically. But the scene changed fundamentally in the
following decade. In the elections to the provincial legislatures, held in 1946 under the Act of
1935, the candidates put up by the Muslim League and Congress routed the independents.
Though about three hundred candidates contested the elections independently, only eight of them
(6 Hindus and 2 Muslims) were returned successfully. The age of elections participated in by the
independents seemed to have ended thus. In all subsequent elections the success of independent
candidates became the exception rather than the norm.
Several factors such as the Hindu exodus after the partition of 1947, abolition of the zamindari
system and the introduction of universal adult franchise in 1956 radically changed the election
pattern. The candidates in the provincial elections of 1954 and in the district board elections were
predominantly non-resident lawyers and much younger than in the past. The process of change
accelerated in the 1960s and 1970s when the contesting candidates were apt to be professional
politicians and solvent financially. Circumstances such as the repressive Ayub regime (1958-
1969), the autonomy movement (1966-1971), the war of liberation, post-war political
developments, including the formation of BAKSAL and assassination of the architect of the
nation, sheikh mujibur rahman, and consequent political instability, absolutely upset the tradition
of elections. Henceforth elections tended to become more and more an instrument for the
legitimisation and formalisation of a regime than for the institutionalisation of democracy. A
2
number of such general elections held in the decades following 1975 were either boycotted by
large numbers or provoked agitation.
The elections of 1991 and 1996 were the products of popular movements. The post-liberation
war situation and the two elections in the wake of massive agitation contributed much to the
restoration of a normal election system. But there has been a price to pay. Elections haunted by
the spectre of political unrest were associated with a new element, santrash or terrorism, a new
feature in the history of elections. Santrash is marked not only in public elections but also in
elections for party positions. This unique phenomenon has made free and fair elections very
difficult. The major political parties maintain armed cadres whose job is to canvass for them by
intimidation, capture polling centres and in certain circumstances run away with ballot boxes. As
a result, the politicians, press and members of the public always take election result with a pinch
of salt. Under such circumstances, the losing party is apt to dismiss election results as the result
of manipulation and calls for fresh election, a demand which the party in power refuses to accept.
Facts on elections Nine parliamentary elections were held in Bangladesh in 1973, 1979, 1986,
1988, 1991, 1996 (15 February), 1996 (12th June), 2001, and in 2008. Before the emergence of
Bangladesh, general elections were held in Pakistan National Assembly and in Provincial
Assembly in 1970.
General Election, 1970
National Assembly Election, 1970
Date of election 7 December 1970

Total number of voters 2,94,79,386
Cast votes 1,70,05,163 (57.68%)
Total seat 300
Reserved women seats 7
Number of contesting political parties 16
Results
Candidate Seats Votes Party

Alliance Political party Percentage
contested won obtained symbol
Awami League 162 160 1,23,38,921 74.9 Boat
PDP 79 1 4,83,571 2.9
Nejam-e- Islami 49 0 0 0
Jamaat-e-Islami 70 0 9,91,908 6
Pakistan Muslim League
93 0 4,64,185 2.8
(Convention)
50 0 2,74,453 1.6
(Kou)
Pakistan Muslim League 65 0 1,75,822 1
3
(Qayum)
National Awami Party
39 0 3,10,986 1.8
(Wali)
Independent (politician) 114 1 5,61,083 3.4
Provincial Assembly Election, 1970

Cast votes ---
Total seat 300
Number of contesting political parties
Results

Awami League 300 288 89 Boat
PDP 2 1
Nejam-e- Islami 1
Jamaat-e-Islami 1 3
0 0.9
(Wali)
0 0.05
(Kou)
1 1
(Convention)
0 0.05
(Qayum)
Independent (politician) 7 5
First General Election, 1973
Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1973
Date of election 7 March 1973

Cast votes 1,93,29,683 (54.90%)
Total seat 300
4
Results

Bangladesh Awami
300 293 1,37,93,717 73.2 Boat
League
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal 237 1 12,29,110 6.52 Torch
224 0 15,69,299 8.33 Hut
(Mozaffar)
National Awami Party Sheaf of
169 0 10,02,771 5.32
(Bhasani) paddy
Communist Party of
4 0 47,211 0.25 Key
Bangladesh
Communist Party of Bullock
2 0 18,619 0.1
Bangladesh (L) cart
Bangladesh Jatiya
8 1 62,354 0.33 Plough
League
Banglar Communist
3 0 11,911 0.06 Axe
Party
Others 120 5 9,89,884 5.52 ---
Second General Election, 1979
Date of election 18 February, 1979

Cast votes 1,96,76,124 (50.94%)
Total seat 300
Results
Candidate Seats Votes

Alliance Political party Percentage Party symbol
contested won obtained
Bangladesh Nationalist Sheaf of
298 207 79,34,236 41.16
Party paddy
5
Bangladesh Awami
295 39 47,34,277 24.55 Boat
League (Malek)
Bangladesh Awami
184 2 5,53,426 2.72 Ladder
League (Mizan)
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal 240 8 9,31,851 4.84 Torch
Muslim Democratic
266 20 19,41,394 10.08 Lantern
League
89 1 4,32,514 2.25 Hut
(Mo)
28 0 25,336 0.14 Rose
(Naser)
38 0 88,385 0.46 Lamp
(Nuru Jahid)
Communist Party of
11 0 75,455 0.39 Key
Bangladesh
United Peoples Party 70 0 1,70,955 0.89 Bullock cart
Bangladesh Jatiyo
14 2 69,319 0.36 Plough
League
Bangladesh Gono Front 46 2 1,15,622 0.60 Bicycle
Jatiyatabadi
29 0 27,259 0.14 Fish
Gonotantrik Dal
Shromik Krishak
2 0 4,954 0.02 Umbrella
Samajbadi Dal
Bangladesh Samyabadi
20 1 74,771 0.39
Dal
Bangladesh Gonotantrik
18 1 34,259 0.17 Chair
Andolon
Bangladesh Labour
16 0 7,738 0.04 Clock
Party
Jatiya Janata Party 9 0 10,932 0.06 Mango
Bangladesh Jatiya Dal
6 0 0 Date tree
(Huda)
Bangladesh Gonotantrik
5 0 3,564 0.01
Dal
Jatiya Ekata Party 3 1 44,459 0.23 Inkpot
Peoples Democratic
3 0 5,703 0.02 Horse
Party
Bangladesh Jana Mukti
3 0 3,363 0.01 Spade
Party
Jatiotabadi Gonotantrik
2 0 130 0.01 Elephant
Chashi Dal
United Republican
2 0 389 0.01 Pineapple
Party
6
Bangladesh Gono Ajadi
1 0 1,378 0.01 Aeroplane
League
Bangladesh Nejam-e-
1 0 1,575 0.01 Candle
Islami
Bangladesh Tati Samity 1 0 1,8340 0.01 Pitcher
National Republican
1 0 14,429 0.07 Cow
Party
Independent (politician) 422 16 19,63,345 10.10 ---
Third General Election, 1986
Date of election 7 May 1986

Cast votes 2,89,03,889 (60.31%)
Total seat 300
Results

Jatiya Party 300 153 1,20,79,259 42.34 Plough
Bangladesh Awami
256 76 74,62,157 26.15 Boat
League
Jamaat-e-Islami Balance
76 10 13,14,057 4.60
Bangladesh Scale
Communist Party of
9 5 2,59,728 0.91
Bangladesh
10 2 3,68,979 1.29
(Mozaffar)
National Awami Party 5 3,68,979 1.29
Bangladesh Krishak
6 3 1,91,107 0.67
Shramik Awami League
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal
4 7,25,303 2.54
(Rob)
Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal
14 3 2,48,705 0.87
(Siraj)
Muslim League 4 4,12,765 1.45
Bangladesh Workers Party 3 1,51,828 0.53
Independent 453 32 46,19,025 16.19
7
Others 4,90,389 1.73
Fourth General Election, 1988
Date of election 3 March 1988

Cast votes 2,88,73,540 (54.93%)
Total seat 300
Results

Jatiya Party 299 251 1,76,80,133 68.44 Plough
Combined Opposition
269 19 32,63,340 12.63
Party
Jatiya Samajtantrik
25 3 3,09,666 1.20
Dal (Siraj)
Freedom Party 112 2 8,50,284 0.94 Axe
Others 214 25 34,87,457 13.50
Fifth General Election, 1991
Date of election 27 February 1991

Cast votes 3,44,77,803 (55.45%)
Total seat 300
Results

8
Bangladesh Nationalist Sheaf of
300 140 1,05,07,549 30.81
Party paddy
Jatiya Party 272 35 40,63,537 11.92 Plough
Bangladesh Awami
264 88 1,02,59,866 30.08 Boat
League
Jaker Party (JDP) 251 0 4,17,737 1.22 Rose
Jamaat-e-Islami
222 18 41,36,661 12.13 Balance scale
Bangladesh
161 0 2,69,451 0.79 Water lily
(Jasad-Rab)
Bangladesh Krishak
Sramik Awami League 68 5 6,16,014 1.81 Bi-cycle
(BAKSAL)
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal Flaming torch
68 0 1,71,011 0.50
(Jasad-Inu) (Mashal)
31 1 84,276 0.25 Hand-Fan
(Jasad-Siraj)
Islami Oikya Jote 59 1 2,69,434 0.79 Minar
Bangladesh Communist
49 5 8,07,515 1.19 Star
Party (CPB)
Bangladesh Khelafat
43 0 93,049 0.27 Banyan tree
Andolan
Workers Party 35 1 63,434 0.19 Hammer
National Democratic
20 1 1,21,918 0.36 Tiger
Party (NDP)
Ganatantri Party 16 1 1,52,592 0.45 Pigeon
31 1 2,59,978 0.76 Hut
(NAP-Muzaffar)
Others 429 3 4.78
Independent 424 0 4.39
Sixth General Election, 1996
Date of election 15 February 1996

Cast votes 1,17,76,481
Total seat 300
Results
9
Bangladesh Sheaf of
300 278 --- ---
Nationalist Party paddy
Freedom Party --- 1 --- --- Axe
Independent 10 0 --- --- ---
Seventh General Election, 1996
Date of election 12 June 1996

Total seat 300
Results

Bangladesh Awami
300 146 1,58,82,792 37.44 Boat
League
Bangladesh
300 116 1,42,55,986 33.60 Sheaf of paddy
Nationalist Party
Jamaat-e-Islami
300 3 36,53,013 8.61 Balance scale
Bangladesh
Islami Oikya Jote 166 1 4,61,003 1.09 Minar
Jatiya Samajtantrik Flaming torch
76 1 97,916 0.23
Dal (Rab) (Mashal)
Independent 284 1 4,50,132 1.06
Others 864 0 6,66,476 1.67
Eighth General Election, 2001
Date of election 1 October 2001

10
Total seat 300
Reserved women seats
Results

Four Party Bangladesh Nationalist Sheaf of
259 193 23,074,714 41.40
Alliance Party paddy
Sheaf of
Islami Oikya Jote 6 2 312,868 0.56 paddy/
Minar
Jamaat-e-Islami Balance
31 17 2,385,361 4.28
Bangladesh scale
Sheaf of
Jatiya Party (Naziur) 7 4 521,472 0.94
paddy (N-F)
Bangladesh Awami
300 62 22,310,276 40.02 Boat
League
Jatiya Party (Ershad)
Islami
Includes candidates of the
Jatiya Oikya 280 14 4,023,962 7.22 Plough
Islamic National Unity
Front
Front
Krishak Shramik Janata Gamchha
39 1 261,344 0.47
League (napkin)
Jatiya Party (Manju) 140 1 243,617 0.44 Bicycle
Independent and others 6 2,262,045 4.06
Ninth General Election, 2008

Total seat 300
Results

Grand Bangladesh 259 230 33,887,451 49.0 Boat
11
Alliance Awami League
Jatiya Samajtantrik Flaming torch
6 3 429,773 0.6
Dal (mashal)
Workers Party of
5 2 214,440 0.3 Hammer
Bangladesh
Liberal Democratic
18 1 161,372 0.2 Umbrella
Party
Four Party Bangladesh
256 30 22,963,836 33.2 Sheaf of paddy
Alliance Nationalist Party
Jamaat-e-Islami
39 2 3,186,384 4.6 Balance scale
Bangladesh
Bangladesh Jatiya
10 1 95,158 0.1 ---
Party-BJP
Independent and
141 4 3,366,858 --- ---
others
[Sirajul Islam]
Link: http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Election
Source: Banglapedia
12

General Election of 1970

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General Election of 1970

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General Election of 1970 and the denial of power exchange

General Election, 1970

National Assembly Election, 1970

Date of election 7 December 1970

Candidate Seats Votes Party

Provincial Assembly Election, 1970

Date of election 17 December 1970

Candidate Seats Votes Party

First General Election, 1973

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1973

Date of election 7 March 1973

Candidate Seats Votes Party

Second General Election, 1979

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1979

Date of election 18 February, 1979

Candidate Seats Votes

Third General Election, 1986

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1986

Date of election 7 May 1986

Candidate Seats Votes Party

Fourth General Election, 1988

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1988

Date of election 3 March 1988

Candidate Seats Votes Party

Fifth General Election, 1991

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1991

Date of election 27 February 1991

Candidate Seats Votes

Sixth General Election, 1996

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1996

Date of election 15 February 1996

Seventh General Election, 1996

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 1996

Date of election 12 June 1996

Candidate Seats Votes

Eighth General Election, 2001

Jatiya Sangsad Election, 2001

Date of election 1 October 2001

Candidate Seats Votes Party

Ninth General Election, 2008

Date of election 29 December 2008

Candidate Seats Votes

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