As Bangladesh participates in today’s elections, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude for India and acknowledged the enduring friendship between the two countries. She emphasized India’s crucial support during the 1971 Liberation War and the sanctuary provided after her family’s tragic massacre in 1975.
After casting her vote in the ongoing general elections, Hasina underscored the significance of democracy for the nation’s development, emphasizing the establishment of people’s democratic rights during her tenure. She affirmed the importance of a democratic system for sustained progress, citing Bangladesh’s achievements under a democratic framework from 2009 to 2023.
The Prime Minister credited her government for creating an environment conducive to voter turnout, thanking the people of Bangladesh for overcoming obstacles and exercising their voting rights. She accused the opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), of inciting violence and hindering the country’s development, stating their opposition to democracy.
The ongoing elections involve nearly 170 million voters electing 299 lawmakers amid a boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, demanding Hasina’s resignation. Over 42,000 polling stations are set up for the elections, with almost 120 million eligible voters, including approximately 15 million first-time voters.
Reports suggest that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to secure a fourth consecutive term in the absence of the main opposition BNP, which initiated a nationwide strike against the perceived “illegal government.” The Supreme Court’s clearance on December 27 allowed the Election Commission to proceed with the elections.
The Election Commission has taken comprehensive measures for the 12th national parliamentary election on January 7 to ensure a peaceful process. Foreign observers, including 127 individuals, are monitoring the election process for fairness, with international election expert teams from the European Union and various countries, including a Commonwealth team, present in Dhaka.