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Dhaka: Bangladesh commenced its election process on Sunday, setting the stage for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to potentially secure her fifth term in office. The opposition parties, however, boycotted the elections in protest against the mass arrests of their members.
While Hasina’s government has been credited with driving significant economic growth, it has also faced accusations of human rights violations and a crackdown on opposition parties. Despite being the primary contender, Hasina’s party strategically refrained from fielding candidates in a few seats to maintain a multi-party composition in the parliament.
Polling booths will remain open until 5 pm, and the results are expected to be declared after midnight. There have been reports of voters facing threats of losing government benefit cards if they refuse to vote for the ruling Awami League.
Critics claim instances of coercion, with an elderly voter from Faridpur stating, “They said since the government feeds us, we have to vote for them.”
On the opposition front, parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have called for a general strike, urging the public to abstain from voting. Last year witnessed months of protests demanding the prime minister’s resignation ahead of the election.
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Prime Minister Hasina, after casting her vote, labeled the main boycotting party, BNP, as a “terrorist organization.” She asserted her commitment to maintaining democracy and encouraged the public to participate in the elections, emphasizing their fairness.
“The BNP is a terrorist organization. I am trying my best to ensure that democracy should continue in this country. The election will be free and fair,” stated Prime Minister Hasina.
The election commission deployed around 175,000 police officers and over 515,000 members of the Ansar reserve force to ensure order during the vote. The political landscape remains charged, reflecting the complex dynamics surrounding the electoral process in Bangladesh.
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