Gun Control Is Imperative for Free Elections and Public Safety

 Muhammad Enamul Hoque Mithu

A free, fair and credible election is the cornerstone of any democratic state. Yet an election is not merely the act of casting ballots; it is a comprehensive environment where citizens’ safety, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and the overall law and order situation are deeply interconnected. Evidence consistently shows that when election time security is weak, voter turnout declines, violence escalates, and the legitimacy of the electoral process comes under serious question.

Statistics indicate that in violence prone elections, voter turnout can drop by an average of 15 to 25 percent. In rural and marginalized areas in particular, the fear created by weapons often discourages voters from approaching polling centers. Bangladesh is no exception. During several past national and local government elections, incidents of violence increased significantly both before and after polling, with a substantial portion involving firearms and locally made weapons.

The dangerous nexus between elections and weapons is evident in the data.

According to information from human rights organizations, while a large share of weapons used in electoral violence are illegal, the misuse of legally licensed firearms is also a serious concern. Security experts warn that the visible presence of weapons during elections can increase the risk of violence by two to three times. At that point, weapons cease to be instruments of personal security and instead become tools of intimidation and political coercion.

Although Bangladeshi law recognizes the right of citizens to possess licensed firearms, elections represent an exceptional and highly sensitive period. During such times, collective security must take precedence over individual convenience. Past experience shows that the temporary deposition of licensed weapons during election periods has played an effective role in reducing violence.

In multiple elections, areas where weapon deposit programs were implemented strictly witnessed a reduction in violent incidents by approximately 30 to 40 percent. This demonstrates that preventive measures, when applied uniformly, can significantly improve the security environment.

At the same time, illegal weapons remain the primary driving force behind electoral violence. Security analyses reveal that most incidents involving the seizure of polling stations, intimidation of candidates and voters, and manipulation of election results are carried out using illegal arms. 

Law enforcement data further suggest that when pre-election operations to recover illegal weapons are intensified, subsequent violent crime rates decline noticeably.

In other words, recovering weapons is not merely about reducing numbers it is about dismantling the very capacity for violence.

Therefore, it is clear that temporarily collecting licensed firearms alone is not sufficient. What is equally necessary is a coordinated and sustained strategy that includes targeted operations to recover illegal weapons, intelligence driven surveillance, and strict enforcement of laws to dismantle weapon supply chains.

Throughout this process, effective coordination among the Election Commission, civil administration, and law enforcement agencies is crucial. Research shows that where such coordination exists, electoral violence decreases significantly and public trust in the electoral process rises. Weapon deposit and recovery initiatives must be transparent, neutral, and free from harassment so that no innocent citizen or political group is unfairly targeted.

A fair election does not only mean accurate vote counting; it means creating an environment where trust, not fear, guides public participation. A weapon-free atmosphere encourages voter turnout, reduces political violence, and strengthens democratic culture. The statistics clearly prove that without ensuring public safety, no election can truly be fair.

In conclusion, weapon control during elections is not a political maneuver, it is a data-driven, public safety, oriented, and constitutional responsibility of the state. In the interest of democracy, the protection of human life, and the assurance of a peaceful and credible election, it is imperative to temporarily deposit all licensed firearms and intensify efforts to recover illegal weapons without delay. Facts and realities both confirm that free elections and public security are complementary, not separate, objectives.
 

Muhammad Enamul Hoque
Mithu is a freelancer 
and a columnist.