<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000;">Participation of people in the electoral process and consensus on basic values is required for strengthening democracy in Bangladesh, said speakers at a seminar organised by Daily Ittefaq in Dhaka on Monday on the topic, 'Road to election 2024-past and future of politics and democracy in Bangladesh'. <br />''<br />''Setting the tone of the discussion, liberation war fighter and former Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Shamsher Chowdhury expressed the hope that the forthcoming national elections in 2024 will be credible and participatory as it could prove to be a defining moment for Bangladesh. Calling for participatory democracy, he urged political parties not to have a 'bunker position' for the forthcoming elections. He called the 2014 election boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as a colossal mistake. <br />''<br />''Ruling Awami League leader and MP Nahim Razzak said that democracy is an ongoing process and it differs between countries and regions. However, democracy must be participatory and there should be some consensus among political parties on basic values, said Nahim Razzak. He pointed out the success of Bangladesh as it has improved its ranking in the global democracy index by focussing on people. Strengthening of institutions is a key element in this process, said Nahim Razzaq. <br />''<br />''Organising Secretary of the opposition BNP Shama Obaid pointed out that consensus among the political parties had led to agreement on 'caretaker government' during elections earlier. She said the concept can be improved by discussion among political parties but it is required to ensure a fair and transparent election in Bangladesh. <br />''<br />''Pointing out the very low voting percentage of about 20 percent in the recently concluded by polls to 6 parliamentary constituencies which fell vacant after resignation of BNP MPs in protest, Shama Obaid said that it does not reflect a participatory democracy. She criticised the ruling Awami League for using administration and police force during elections which will be stopped if there is a caretaker government during elections. <br />''<br />''The participants also raised the issue of growing religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh. They said that it presents a serious threat to democracy and needs to be checked urgently. Director of the Policy Research Institute (PRI) Dr. Ahsan Mansur pointed out that religious fundamentalism is growing due to political patronage in the country. </span><br />