History rarely grants second chances to political systems. Bangladesh now stands in a moment that feels like one. The election that brought the BNP to power has generated not only celebration among its supporters but a broader sense of anticipation among citizens who have waited years for a competitive mandate to return constitutional politics to its natural rhythm.
Yet what now confronts the new government is not merely a list of problems. It faces a landscape of expectations -- intense, impatient, and morally charged.
The first expectation is simple but profound. Citizens want to feel the presence of a state that protects rather than punishes. After years in which authority appeared either excessively coercive or conspicuously absent, people long for a predictable rule of law.
They expect to walk through streets free from mob vigilantism and political intimidation. They expect police stations to function as spaces of justice rather than fear.
This is not a demand for repression. It is a demand for order anchored in legality. If the new government can restore the state’s monopoly over force without reviving the culture of arbitrary power, it will have achieved something historic.
Closely tied to this is the expectation of institutional neutrality. Bangladeshis are acutely aware that institutions such as the police, intelligence agencies, and regulatory bodies were often perceived as partisan instruments.
The public now expects these bodies to regain professional dignity. Reform is not expected to be theatrical. It is expected to be credible. Citizens want to see promotions based on merit rather than loyalty, investigations conducted without political calculation, and oversight mechanisms that function transparently. In short, they want institutions that outlast governments.
Beyond security and institutions lies a more subtle expectation, a transformation of political culture. Voters did not merely endorse a party. They endorsed the possibility of a different governing ethic.
Parliament is expected to regain its seriousness as a forum of debate. Citizens want to see ministers answering difficult questions rather than reciting prepared praise. They want opposition voices heard without fear.
A tolerant democratic environment is not viewed as an abstract ideal but as a practical necessity for stability. The new government is expected to demonstrate that strength and restraint can coexist.
Economic expectations are even more urgent. The electorate understands that slogans cannot substitute for jobs. Youth unemployment and underemployment have produced frustration that fueled political mobilization. Now those same young citizens expect opportunity.
They expect policies that stimulate investment, encourage entrepreneurship, and expand productive sectors beyond garments and remittances. They are not interested in rhetorical declarations of economic revival. They are looking for tangible signs of momentum -- new factories, transparent licensing processes, predictable regulations, and fair competition.
Central to this economic expectation is the restoration of trust. Investment is ultimately an expression of confidence. Both domestic and foreign investors will watch closely to see whether corruption is addressed seriously.
The perception that segments of the business elite have been involved in money laundering has damaged credibility. Citizens expect the new government to confront this culture decisively. They want to see laws enforced impartially, regardless of political proximity. Without such visible fairness, no amount of promotional language will persuade capital to remain or return.
The banking sector has become a litmus test for credibility. Depositors are anxious. They fear that ordinary customers are suffering for the misdeeds of powerful insiders. The public expectation is not vague reform but concrete accountability.
Bank boards must be scrutinized. Regulatory oversight must be strengthened. The central bank must demonstrate independence paired with responsibility. Above all, people expect that corrupt bankers or owners will face consequences, rather than seeing blame shifted downward. A stable banking system is not merely an economic requirement. It is a psychological foundation for social trust.
Employment creation stands at the heart of public aspiration. There is a widespread expectation that economic reform will prioritize jobs over immediate tax extraction. Citizens understand that sustainable revenue follows productive employment.
A government that succeeds in expanding work opportunities, particularly for educated youth, will find fiscal stability easier to achieve. Conversely, if graduates remain idle while taxes increase, frustration will deepen. The expectation is clear. Policy must serve livelihoods first.
Another expectation concerns political inclusivity. The electoral map revealed intense competition. The near disappearance of some parties and the narrow margins between major rivals suggest that politics will remain dynamic.
Citizens expect the new government to recognize that it governs a divided electorate. This requires avoiding triumphalism and acknowledging the legitimacy of dissenting voters.
Managing relationships with rival forces, including the unresolved question of the Awami League, will require maturity. Many citizens expect a path that balances accountability for past abuses with a long-term vision of political coexistence.
Bangladeshis expect the government to safeguard sovereignty while maintaining pragmatic relations with neighbours and global partners. Relations with India, often entangled with domestic political narratives, will be scrutinized. Citizens want autonomy without unnecessary confrontation.
Simultaneously, they expect sustained humanitarian commitment and diplomatic initiative on the Rohingya crisis. Hosting over a million refugees has tested resources and patience. The public hopes the government can combine compassion with strategic diplomacy to advance repatriation efforts without sacrificing national interest.
Citizens expect transparent communication. Regular briefings, accessible data and swift responses to false narratives can strengthen confidence. A government that communicates openly reduces the space for speculation. Silence, by contrast, invites anxiety.
Accountability within governance structures remains a central public demand. Bangladesh’s political culture has often rewarded evasion rather than responsibility. Voters now expect a departure from this pattern.
Parliament must become a center of oversight rather than ceremony. Regulatory agencies must publish clear performance indicators. Ministers must accept scrutiny without defensiveness. The expectation is not perfection. It is honesty.
There is also hope that the government will draw upon broad social wisdom. The complexity of the moment requires expertise that transcends party lines.
Citizens expect appointments based on competence and integrity. The historical example of Emperor Akbar is often invoked not for his formal education but for the quality of his council. Leadership is judged by the caliber of those it empowers.
The public expects the new administration to gather capable economists, legal scholars, administrators, and reformers who can translate vision into policy.
Time itself has become an expectation. Many believe the first two years will be decisive. Early reforms can build credibility and patience. Delays may be interpreted as hesitation or reluctance.
Citizens are aware that structural change is difficult, but they also expect visible signals that direction has shifted. Symbolic gestures without substantive follow-through will not satisfy an electorate that has already endured prolonged uncertainty.
Ultimately, what Bangladesh expects from the newly elected BNP government is a restoration of trust.
Trust that the state exists to protect rather than intimidate. Trust that courts function impartially. Trust that banks safeguard savings. Trust that parliament debates seriously. Trust that economic opportunity is not reserved for a privileged few.
Elections have provided an opportunity to renew constitutional legitimacy. The deeper expectation is that this legitimacy will be matched by moral seriousness.
This is not an expectation of miracles. It is an expectation of discipline, fairness and courage. If the government can embody these qualities, it will not only consolidate its victory but redefine the trajectory of Bangladeshi politics.
If it fails to meet these expectations, disappointment will be sharp precisely because hope has returned. In this delicate moment, the public is not asking for grandeur. It is asking for governance worthy of its patience.
HM Nazmul Alam is an Academic, Journalist, and Political Analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Currently he teaches at IUBAT.
