With Bangladesh’s general elections scheduled for January 7, 2024, the government has implemented stringent security measures to address escalating tensions in the country.
To ensure the smooth administration of the elections, armed forces have been deployed from January 3 to January 10. The opposition party, BNP, has chosen to boycott the elections, leading to outbreaks of violence in various locations. The current Awami League government’s term is set to conclude on January 29, 2024, completing five years in office.
The Inter-Service Public Relations, the military’s media wing, stated, “Members of the armed forces will be stationed at nodal points and other places in every district, sub-district, and metropolitan area.” Additionally, the Coast Guard, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) will play roles in overseeing security arrangements.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) will manage security in 45 bordering upazilas, while the Bangladesh Navy will operate in 19 districts, including Bhola and Barguna. The Armed Forces Division will be active until January 10, forming a combined cell involving law enforcers and representatives from various ministries.
Despite international pressure for “free and fair” elections, the main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khalida Zia, is boycotting the elections. BNP had demanded an interim non-party neutral government for organizing the voting, a demand rejected by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government.
The US had applied considerable pressure on Bangladesh for fair elections, but the situation remains tense. Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, suggests that post-election, the US administration might respond with “harsher steps,” potentially affecting trade—the mainstay of Bangladesh’s economy.
The Parliament of Bangladesh, ‘Jatiya Sangsad,’ has 350 seats, with 300 directly elected through first-past-the-post voting. Additionally, 50 seats are reserved for women, elected proportionally by the elected members.
