Recently a so-called terminology “Election Engineering” has frequently been used in arena of the politics in Bangladesh. “Election Engineering” is not a branch of engineering, and it is not being used by anywhere in the world other than Bangladesh. Some political leaders, journalists, and highly educated individuals in Bangladesh are advertently misusing “Election Engineering” in their speeches, press-conferences, newspaper headings, etc which is propagating in our society and cultures. Since “Election Engineering” does not portray the true meaning of engineering, engineers should voice their opinion so that political parties should refrain from misusing this “foreign” word with a noble branch of science.

Let us look at the definition and root of Engineering. Wikipedia defines Engineering as, “Engineering as is the application of scientific and mathematical principles to develop economical solutions to technical problems, creating products, facilities, and structures that are useful to people.” Three major components in the definition of Engineering are the application of scientific and mathematical principals, the development of economical solutions to technical problems, and the creation of products useful to the people. An engineer is an individual who practices engineering by using imagination, judgment, and reasoning to apply science, technology, mathematics and practical experience.

A world-renowned Hungarian scientist and engineer Theodore Karman said, “Scientists study the world as it is; Engineers create the world that has never been. Starting from the oldest discipline Civil Engineering to the modern branch Computing Technology of engineering, all of them are dealing with the innovative way to resolve new and existing problems for mankind. Etymologically the word engineer came from Latin root ingeniosus which means “skilled,” An engineer is a practical person with strong knowledge in designing and analytical ability in coherent to three major components of engineering. Does the term “Election Engineering” fit into the definition of engineering?

While using “Election Engineering” the political spoke persons intend to mean that the opponents unethically manipulate the outcome of the election results in a clever and preplanned way. This manipulation could be accomplished by indirect and indirect influence of the opponents in collaboration with the election officials. Whatever the outcome of the results, this so-called “Election Engineering” does not reflect the verdict of the people, thus it is not a useful product. To be an engineering process, the solution should be economical.

However, the “Election Engineering” process is not a solution at all. Rather, it is the breeding ground of many problems and chaos in the society. Therefore, naming an unscrupulous and fraudulent election practice as an engineering process is not respectful to the engineering community. Alternatively, several other words such as Election Fraud, Election Manipulation, Election Hijack, Election Caricaturing, etc. can be used to represent the true intention of the use of the term “Election Electioneering.”

Interestingly, engineers are that much involved in the election process in Bangladesh. The local administration coordinates and conducts the entire election process under the directive of Election Commission. The election, presiding and polling officers are mostly comprised of local administrative officials, teachers and bankers. The police administration maintains the law and order in the election process. If “Election Engineering” were an engineering process, engineers should have been involved in that process. Is not it strange for non-engineers to perform an engineering process?

Engineers have been working relentlessly to construct and renew our infrastructure and to serve our commercial, research, industrial and manufacturing sectors. Innovative ideas and technology are revealed by engineers around the world for the benefit of humankind. People have been enjoying the newly developed technology for many centuries except a few cases where it has been used against humanity. However, the original intention of these innovative tools and technology was to provide solutions of new problems. Therefore, the terminology “Election Engineering” contradicts with the basic meaning of engineering.

To portray the true meaning of science and technology, people should refrain from using “Election Engineering” to represent caricature of election manipulation. Rather, a set of word(s) meaningful to scrupulous election manipulation should be used by everyone to represent its true meaning without hurting the contribution of problem-solving major engineering. Intellectuals especially engineers in Bangladesh should voice their opinion against the misuse of Engineering with Election.


Sincerely,
Zahid Hossain
Software Engineer and Developer-II,
Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
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