Bangladesh goes to polls; Sheikh Hasina set to win as BNP shuns elections
4 min readBangladeshis are voting at present within the common elections which can be anticipated to be received by Awami League, returning Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to energy. The voting takes place amid an election boycott by the primary Opposition occasion Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
Voting started at 8am native time and can proceed until 5pm. A complete of 119.6 million registered voters are eligible to vote within the January 7, 2023, elections. The votes are being solid at 42,000 polling stations, in accordance to the nation’s Election Commission.
The Election Commission mentioned that it anticipated the vote outcomes to begin coming in from early tomorrow (January 8).
All the Bangladesh nationwide ballot numbers
- Out of the 300 constituencies, 299 have gone to polls at present. Election to the one remaining seat will likely be held later, following the dying of a candidate.
- More than 1,500 candidates from 27 political events are contesting within the common elections, moreover 436 impartial candidates.
- Over 100 international observers, together with three from India, are monitoring the twelfth common election, which is being held underneath tight safety.
- More than 750,000 — three-quarters of 1,000,000 — members of legislation enforcement businesses and safety forces have been deployed for the polls.
Straight fourth win for Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina solid her vote at Dhaka City College polling centre at 8.03am native time. Her daughter Saima Wazed accompanied her.
Hasina, 76, has been in energy since 2009 and her Awami League received the final election in December 2018. The BNP had boycotted the 2014 election however joined the one in 2018.
She is the daughter of “Bangabandhu (Friend of Bengal)” Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, chief of the revolution that turned East Pakistan into liberated Bangladesh in 1971. This liberation was achieved by means of the supportive navy intervention of India, then led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Awami League is anticipated to win for a straight fourth time. Meanwhile, Zia, 78, stays underneath home arrest as a convict of graft fees.
The 27 political events which can be contesting the elections embrace the opposition Jatiya Party (JAPA). The relaxation are members of the ruling Awami League-led coalition, which specialists dub “satellite tv for pc events”.
BNP has been calling countrywide strikes
The BNP is observing a 48-hour nationwide common strike, which started at 6am on January 6 and can finish at 6am on January 8. It has known as upon Bangladesh voters to shun the election to mark the start of the top of what it calls a “fascist authorities”.
As a part of its vote boycott marketing campaign, the BNP has been calling countrywide common strikes. It has enforced intermittent transport blockades and strikes for the previous three months. The occasion has been claiming that no election underneath the incumbent Awami League authorities can be truthful and credible.
BNP spokesman Ruhul Kabir Rizvi mentioned that the strikes had been geared toward urgent for his or her calls for for “resignation of the unlawful authorities, institution of a non-party impartial authorities and launch of all occasion leaders and activists from jail”.
Ahead of the elections, Sheikh Hasina’s authorities arrested tens of hundreds of rival politicians and supporters, a transfer that rights teams have criticised as an try to paralyse the Opposition.
Fifteen different political events are additionally boycotting the election that’s being watched globally.
The boycott as nicely as concern of violence can hold numerous voters away from the ballot cubicles.
“What’s the purpose of going to the polling centres when the election is nothing however a battle between two teams of the identical occasion? We all know Awami League will win the race on the finish of the day,” mentioned Md Monir Hassan, a resident of Dhanmondi, in an interview with The Daily Star newspaper.
Fear of Bangladesh ballot violence after widespread arson
There can be the concern of frequent individuals getting caught in election violence. A day earlier than the voting, at the least 14 polling stations in Bangladesh had been set on hearth, together with one on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka.
On Friday evening, at the least 4 individuals had been killed and plenty of had been injured as arsonists set a working prepare on hearth in Dhaka. Overall, 9 individuals have misplaced their lives in eight incidents of arson on trains since November 16.
Additionally, at the least 5 individuals have been killed in clashes and assaults on rival rallies because the official begin of the election campaigns on December 18.
The ruling occasion has fashioned devoted groups throughout Bangladesh to carry as many citizens as doable to the polling centres. It needs to guarantee a excessive turnout in its efforts to garner worldwide assist.
“Come to the polling centres with out concern and solid your vote to train your constitutional rights. Don’t bow down to any intervention and intimidation,” mentioned Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader at a press convention yesterday.
“I’ll ask them (individuals) to come (and vote) as it’s a stunning day. It is a winter morning, and everyone is worked up and eagerly ready (to solid their votes),” mentioned Bangladeshi actor and Awami League chief Firdous Ahmed.
About Author
