Dr. Ali Riaz

Professor Dr. Ali Riaz is the Chair in the Department of Government & Politics at Illinois State University . At present he is in Dhaka, Bangladesh taking a close analytical look at Bangladesh election.

 In an exclusive interview with VOA Bangla,  Dr Riaz analyzes the immediate pre-election situation in Bangladesh. He expects that despite all odds the upcoming election in Bangladesh would once again pave the way for democracy in the country. Riaz thinks that a huge proportion of young voters (about 33%) is going put an impact on election. Although they may not influence as a whole block, they have certainly compelled the political parties to take them into account while writing their manifestoes.

 Riaz also noted qualitative changes amongst the political parties and alliances in their pre-poll moves and he expects this to continue in the post-election circumstances. He expects the winner of the election to understand the participatory role of the opposition and the opposition must also gracefully accept their defeat.