Victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League

 

Bangladesh's recent parliamentary election resulted in a resounding victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, marking their fourth consecutive win. The outcome was largely expected, especially after the main rival, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), opted to boycott the election. Prime Minister Hasina hailed the triumph as a victory for the people and emphasized that Bangladesh demonstrated the ability to conduct free, fair, and neutral polls. Despite a relatively low voter turnout (around 40%) and isolated incidents of violence, international election observers, including those from India, praised the transparency of Bangladesh's electoral process. The government's proactive approach in inviting observers from various nations and multilateral organizations aimed to ensure transparency in the election proceedings.

 

However, the United States has expressed discontent, asserting that the polls were neither free nor fair. The US State Department expressed concern over the arrest of thousands of opposition members and reported irregularities on election day. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged the newly elected government to renew its commitment to democracy and human rights.

 

The path to democracy in Bangladesh has been fraught with challenges since the assassination of 'Father of the Nation' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members in 1975. The subsequent decade and a half witnessed military dictatorship, which weakened the country politically and economically. Over the past decade, Bangladesh has experienced economic growth alongside political stability. While the voter mandate deserves respect from all parties, the government must responsibly investigate allegations of electoral malpractices and highhandedness. The BNP lacks the moral authority to cry foul, having chosen to abstain from participating in the ballot, a fundamental element of democracy