Voting for the general election in Bangladesh began on Sunday, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina aiming for a fourth consecutive term. The elections, however, unfold against a backdrop of pre-election violence and a boycott by the country’s main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), along with other like-minded parties. The BNP has called for a two-day nationwide strike in protest.
The Opposition’s decision to boycott the election and encourage the public to refrain from voting stems from allegations about the credibility of the electoral process. The BNP claims that the ruling Awami League has fielded “dummy” candidates as independents to create an illusion of a legitimate election, an accusation vehemently denied by the ruling party.
Tensions escalated in Bangladesh since October when a large anti-government rally, demanding Prime Minister Hasina’s resignation and the formation of a caretaker government to oversee the election, turned violent. The government maintained that there is no constitutional provision for a caretaker government.
Here are key details about the ongoing elections
Voting started across Bangladesh at 8 a.m. (local time) and will conclude at 5 p.m. and Results are expected to start flowing from early on January 8.
Voter Statistics
A total of 119.6 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes at more than 42,000 polling stations, as per the country’s Election Commission. Over 1,500 candidates from 27 political parties are participating in the election, along with 436 independent candidates.
The 27 political parties include the opposition Jatiya Party (JAPA), while the rest are members of the ruling Awami League-led coalition, also referred to as “satellite parties” by experts.
Pre-Election Violence
Violence erupted on the eve of the election, including the burning of a passenger train that resulted in four fatalities. Arson attacks on buildings have also been reported across the country.
Over 100 foreign observers, including three from India, will monitor the 12th general election, which is being held under tight security.
Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner, Kazi Habibul Awal, has warned that the elections will be called into question if irregularities in the polling process are found. He emphasized a strong stance against vote rigging, ballot snatching, money transactions, and any use of muscle power to influence the election.
Prime Minister Hasina has been in power since 2009 and won the last election in December 2018, marked by violence and accusations of poll rigging.
The country’s economy, once among the world’s fastest-growing, faced challenges in 2022 due to violent protests and a surge in the cost of living, leading the government to seek support from the International Monetary Fund.
As Bangladesh navigates this crucial electoral process, the world watches closely to see how the political landscape evolves amid challenges and controversies.
