Dhaka, Bangladesh – In a technology center in the Bangladeshi capital, young women gather around a computer, discussing programming. Many of them make the daily trip to Dhaka on the shiny new metro train while searching their smartphones for the latest news on social media.
For decades, political battles in Bangladesh have been fought in the streets, often violently, by parties led by two powerful women. But there are signs of a generational change as the country of 169 million heads to another general election on Sunday.
While the opposition's boycott and unity distort the results of opinion polls, millions of young voters are looking for a different narrative. A booming technology industry, vibrant e-commerce and growing public digital infrastructure are helping one of South Asia's fastest-growing economies tap into a tech-savvy workforce that is demanding change from politicians.
Ahead of the election, which was boycotted by the main opposition led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is trying to woo voters for the first time with her government's “Digital Bangladesh” project, promising a “Smart Bangladesh” by 2041 and a population of 15 million. New job opportunities for young people by 2030
Addressing a large election rally outside Dhaka on Saturday, Hasina asked young voters for their support “so that progress in Bangladesh continues.”
Some are listening. Shahrimah Tangin Arni, 26, who studies law at Dhaka University, described Hasina as a bold leader with a vision for the digital future.
“She carries the values of the past, but at the same time, she has forward-thinking in her progressive heart, which is not very common in Bangladeshi communities,” Arnie said.
Previous general elections were marred by allegations of voter fraud and intimidation, which the authorities denied. Hasina, who is seeking to win a fourth consecutive term, pledged to hold free and fair elections. But her critics say she undermines the process of holding inclusive elections and suppresses the opposition, which Hasina holds responsible for the violence.
Young voters say they want to break away from a highly polarized political culture and concerns about democratic rights.
“My desire is… for the people of Bangladesh to freely exercise their right to vote, for freedom of expression to be guaranteed and for the justice system to function independently,” said Abdul Rahim Roni, a student at Dhaka University. I also hope that no political party or the government will interfere in constitutional institutions.”
A quarter of the country's population belongs to the age group of 15-29 years, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. Nearly a third of the country's 119.1 million registered voters are between 18 and 30 years old.
A survey conducted by the Bangladesh Citizen Platform for the Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, in October, which was conducted online and involved 5,075 people between the ages of 18 and 35, found that 69% of young people in Bangladesh consider corruption and nepotism to be the main obstacles. facing development as the country sheds its least developed economic status and grows into a middle-income developing country.
“We don't want any chaos on the streets or violence. When I finish my studies, I hope to do a job or start my own business peacefully,” said Rahul Tamjid Rahman, 20, a first-time voter and computer science student at BRAC University in Dhaka. “It is a call from our generation to our politicians and policy makers.”
Bangladesh's telecom boom began in 1997 when Hasina issued free licenses to three operators to operate the mobile phone sector. It was a prime opportunity for global companies to invest in one of the world's most densely populated countries.
“The expansion of the digital economy is a miracle that is bringing about changes in the economic landscape, with youth at the forefront,” said Abu Saeed Khan, senior policy fellow at Sri Lanka-based think tank LIRNEasia.
According to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, the country now has approximately 127 million Internet users, with about 114 million mobile Internet subscribers.
The government spent millions of dollars to transform a network of 8,500 rural post offices into online centers for local communities. New startups include some funded by investors in Silicon Valley, and mobile money transfers are becoming popular. Most of Bangladesh's 4 million garment workers, most of whom are women, use SMS money transfer apps to help their families in rural areas.
But inflation and dwindling foreign exchange reserves remain a challenge for Bangladesh's economy. The country sought a $4.5 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund in 2022 to protect its finances.
However, the government is optimistic that the economy, which has grown from $8.75 billion in 1971 to $460 billion in 2022, will soon reach half a trillion dollars.
“Mobile voice and mobile video have become oxygen for the economy, simple as that,” said analyst Khan.
The expansion of digital infrastructure has come with concerns over the controversial Digital Security Act of 2018 and its recent replacement, the Cybersecurity Act. The government says these measures are necessary to combat misinformation, hacking and attempts to undermine people's rights.
Critics and human rights activists said the government misused the previous law to suppress dissent and freedom of expression. Critics say the new cybersecurity law will not bring much difference. In March, a journalist working for a leading newspaper was arrested under the law on charges of spreading fake news.
Despite the challenges, Bangladesh's digital development is attracting young people, said Tim Nurul Kabir, executive director of the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“This is the new generation that is coming forward with innovations,” he said. “For developed Bangladesh, these young people, these digital dreamers, are the backbone. Women are also increasingly joining this future journey.
Tech entrepreneur Achia Nila is one of them.
“Technology is very important in my daily life. It fits into everything I do,” said Neela, adding that it helps connect with clients and the international market.
Ahead of Sunday's elections, Neela called on political parties not to fight and instead focus on working together to further develop Bangladesh.
She added that many young people are frustrated by corruption and bureaucracy, and warned that they may prefer to migrate to other countries because of better opportunities.
