In Bangladesh, the general election is set to begin amidst escalating tensions and a notable absence of opposition participation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, eyeing a fourth consecutive term, faces a lack of contenders as the main opposition parties, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have opted to boycott the polls. This decision stems from allegations of election irregularities, including the purported backing of “dummy” independent candidates by the ruling Awami League to project credibility, a claim refuted by the ruling party.
The build-up to the election has been marked by pre-election violence, with clashes intensifying since October. Calls for Hasina’s resignation and the demand for a caretaker government overseeing the election turned turbulent, but constitutional limitations prevented the formation of such an interim administration.
On the day of the elections, approximately 119.6 million registered voters are expected to cast their votes across 42,000 polling stations. Despite the absence of major opposition parties, over 1,500 candidates from various political entities, including the Jatiya Party (JAPA) and satellite parties aligned with the Awami League, are in contention. However, incidents of violence, including the tragic burning of a passenger train and arson attacks on buildings, have marred the eve of the polls.
The Chief Election Commissioner, Kazi Habibul Awal, has issued warnings against irregularities, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy toward vote rigging, ballot snatching, and any use of force or monetary transactions to influence the election outcome.
Ahead of the election, Hasina’s government undertook a significant number of arrests of opposition politicians and supporters, ostensibly on criminal charges like arson. Despite official claims of non-partisan motivations, these actions have drawn scrutiny.
International observation of the election includes over 100 foreign monitors, including representatives from India, tasked with overseeing the 12th general election amid stringent security measures.
Sheikh Hasina’s tenure has coincided with Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth over the past 15 years. However, the country faced challenges, witnessing protests in 2022 due to rising living costs amid a global economic slowdown. Consequently, the government sought aid from the International Monetary Fund due to depleted foreign reserves, an energy crisis, and surging inflation that triggered a balance of payments crisis.
Ultimately, the election is poised to proceed despite the absence of significant opposition, with Sheikh Hasina likely to secure another term, albeit amidst scrutiny and allegations of irregularities.