Assignment: Literature Review on Anatomy of a Rigged Election in a Hybrid Regime: Lessons from Bangladesh Word Count: 800 words (+/- 10%) Cover Page Name: [Your Name]Candidate Number: [Your Candidate Number]Course Title: POL101 - Introduction to Political ScienceSection and Semester: Section [X], Semester [Y]Essay Title: Anatomy of a Rigged Election in a Hybrid Regime: Lessons from BangladeshWord Count: [Exact Word Count] Summary Ali Riaz and Saimum Parvez’s article Anatomy of a Rigged Election in a Hybrid Regime: Lessons from Bangladesh provides a detailed examination of the mechanisms used to manipulate the 2018 Bangladeshi parliamentary election. Focusing on hybrid regimes—a blend of democratic and authoritarian features—the authors highlight how such systems maintain a democratic facade while undermining the electoral process. The study identifies six primary strategies employed during the election: Creating a Climate of Fear: A government-led anti-narcotics campaign, combined with extrajudicial killings and disappearances, intimidated opposition members and citizens. The year 2018 alone saw 437 extrajudicial killings and 34 disappearances, according to human rights organizations. Neutering Opposition Candidates: Many opposition leaders faced politically motivated charges. SHUJAN’s analysis revealed that 61% of opposition candidates had ongoing legal cases compared to only 7% of ruling party candidates. Disqualifying Opposition Candidates: The Election Commission disqualified numerous opposition candidates under dubious circumstances, often showing clear bias towards the ruling party. Controlling Media: The Digital Security Act 2018 curtailed freedom of expression, while selective accreditation for journalists and internet slowdowns hindered transparent reporting during the election. Restricting Election Observers: International observers were discouraged through visa delays and limited access, resulting in fewer credible assessments of the election process. Ballot Stuffing: Election day witnessed blatant rigging, with pre-stamped ballots and the physical expulsion of opposition polling agents from voting centers. These tactics were not isolated but rather part of a systematic effort by the ruling Awami League to consolidate power. The authors contextualize these manipulations within Bangladesh’s broader democratic backsliding, tracing the transition from electoral democracy to hegemonic authoritarianism. Critical Remarks The article provides significant insights into electoral manipulation in hybrid regimes, offering a valuable framework for analyzing similar cases globally. However, certain limitations warrant discussion. Strengths Comprehensive Analysis: The authors effectively utilize existing frameworks, such as Schedler’s seven tactics of electoral manipulation and Cheeseman & Klaas’ strategies for hybrid regimes, to provide a well-rounded analysis. Empirical Depth: The inclusion of a constituency-level case study enriches the narrative, offering granular details about the electoral malpractices observed in Bangladesh. Contribution to Scholarship: By identifying underexplored tactics like media control and restricted oversight, the article broadens the scope of existing literature on hybrid regimes. Weaknesses Limited Comparative Analysis: While the article focuses on Bangladesh, a comparative perspective with other hybrid regimes (e.g., Zimbabwe or Turkey) would strengthen its argument. Neglect of Long-Term Impacts: The analysis focuses on immediate electoral outcomes but pays insufficient attention to the broader implications for Bangladesh’s civil society and political institutions. Overreliance on Secondary Sources: Although primary data from interviews adds credibility, the heavy reliance on secondary reports like Transparency International’s limits the originality of the findings. Complementary Perspectives Other scholars have echoed similar concerns about electoral manipulation in hybrid regimes. For example, Pippa Norris’ Why Elections Fail discusses procedural fairness and transparency, aligning with Riaz and Parvez’s findings on election-day irregularities. Additionally, Nic Cheeseman’s How to Rig an Election highlights the interplay between media control and voter suppression, corroborating the article’s observations about Bangladesh. Conversely, some critics argue that the emphasis on rigging mechanisms overlooks the agency of voters and opposition groups in resisting authoritarianism. Studies on grassroots activism in Zimbabwe and Venezuela suggest that even in heavily manipulated systems, civic movements can challenge electoral fraud. Conclusion Riaz and Parvez’s article is a significant contribution to the study of hybrid regimes and electoral manipulation. Its detailed examination of the 2018 Bangladeshi election reveals the intricate strategies used to undermine democracy while maintaining a semblance of legitimacy. Despite some limitations, the study’s findings are crucial for understanding the vulnerabilities of electoral systems in hybrid regimes. References Riaz, A., & Parvez, S. (2021). Anatomy of a Rigged Election in a Hybrid Regime: Lessons from Bangladesh. Democratization. https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2020.1867110 Norris, P. (2014). Why Elections Fail. Cambridge University Press. Cheeseman, N., & Klaas, B. (2018). How to Rig an Election. Yale University Press. Transparency International Bangladesh. (2018). Election Observation Report. Retrieved from https://www.ti-bangladesh.org Freedom House. (2019). Democracy in Retreat: Freedom in the World Report. Retrieved from https://freedomhouse.org