Bangladesh goes to the polls on Sunday in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to win a fourth consecutive term in the absence of the main opposition party, the BNP, which boycotted the election amid protests. power and called the national protest for 48 hours. against one. “Unauthorized government.”
A total of 119.6 million registered voters are eligible to vote on Sunday at more than 42,000 polling stations, according to the country’s Election Commission.
More than 1,500 people from 27 political parties participated in the race, as well as 436 independents. More than 100 foreign observers, including three Indians, will monitor the 12th general election, which is taking place under tight security.
The Electoral Commission said they expect the results to begin as early as January 8. Prime Minister Ala Hasina’s ruling Awami League is expected to win a fourth consecutive victory as the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, 78, is at home. Jailed for corruption, removed from Awami League. election.
Hasina, 76, in a nationally televised speech this week, urged pro-democracy and law-abiding people not to entertain “destructive” views. civil law system.
The BNP has called a general call for 48 hours across the country from Saturday.
Among the 27 political parties contesting the election is the Jatiya Political Party (JAPA). Others are political parties led by the Awami League, which experts call “satellite parties.”
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OPPOSITION BOYCOTTS GENERAL ELECTION
As part of its vote campaign, the BNP on Thursday called for a 48-hour nationwide shutdown from 6 am on January 6 to 6 am on January 8, as the party said there would be no election under the government. be in a good and trustworthy position.
BNP spokesperson Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the project, saying it was to press for “the resignation of the illegal government, the establishment of a neutral, non-political government and the release of all the leaders and people.” support the prison movement”. Ahead of the election, Hasina’s government arrested tens of thousands of politicians and supporters, a move criticized by rights groups as an attempt to crack down on the opposition.
Prime Minister Hasina said that the Awami League, whenever it comes to power, ensures the economic and social development of the people of the country. Authorities deployed troops across the country two days ago “to assist local authorities” in maintaining peace and order during the election.
Despite tight security measures, unidentified assailants carried out pipe bomb attacks and arson attacks at empty polling stations in four of the 64 administrative districts, while BNP workers and police clashed in other districts. . , leaving five injured on Friday.
BANGLADESH TRAIN FIRE
At least four people died on Friday evening when a passenger train caught fire near Dhaka. The BNP has called for a UN investigation into what it calls “premeditated” violations. Thinkers based in Brussels International Crisis Group (ICG) said that the country is in a critical situation.
“Bangladesh is in a critical situation. “Democracy, if not perfect, will soon hold a third election without a reliable alternative to the current government,” he said in a report in – not recently.
Thinkers said that although it is now too late to delay the January elections, the Awami League and BNP should work after the elections to calm the country’s political tensions, including through consensus. from both sides. Political science professor and researcher Harunur Rashid said he fears that Bangladesh will have to wait for too long to achieve an unprecedented political situation due to the wide division between the two groups. the body.
Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Kader on Friday said that there is no complete democracy anywhere in the world, but the involvement of BNP can make the upcoming elections more competitive. After the meeting with the Commonwealth Observer Group, Kader said: “They agree with us that nowhere in the world there is one hundred percent of full democracy.”
He said an “unprecedented tide” of support for the party had been created across the country during the elections. Hoping for a free, fair and peaceful national election, he said that these elections represent a celebration of democracy for the people of Bangladesh and this time is no different. .
” Ignoring the expected cold, people accepted the election and participated in the election campaign. A lot of water has been distributed across the country in support of the boat (election symbol of the Awami Party),” Kader said.
ELECTION BOYCOTT BY OPPOSITION IN PAST
He addressed the BNP general strike on election day and said it was now an “old tool” in Bangladeshi politics.
Hasina has been in power since 2009 and won the last election in December 2019, in an election marred by deadly violence and allegations of electoral fraud. The BNP boycotted the 2014 elections but took part in the 2019 elections, which party leaders later declared fraudulent, citing widespread allegations of fraud and intimidation.
The announcement of the BNP’s takeover this time, however, initially brought Hasina a challenge to the validity of the January 7 election, as JAPA also said that it did not want to participate in the fight, but agreed to join the ruling party. decided to leave him seat 26. . remove their candidates. The Awami League also ceded six seats to its allies in the 14th political party, while Hasina urged independence activists and rebels to run to make the election inclusive, while the government campaigned for higher voting.
BNP leader Abdul Moyeen Khan on Friday called the government’s efforts “failed”, describing it as a “political failure”. Analysts and watchdogs, however, said that the country of 170 million people is moving towards a single-term government, with many voters saying they are not interested in voting this time. because the election is about electing another government.
Bangladesh’s economy has slumped sharply since the war between Russia and Ukraine drove up the price of fuel and food imports, forcing Bangladesh to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a $4.7 billion bailout last year.
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