Dhaka, In a significant development ahead of the upcoming general elections, Bangladesh’s main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), officially announced its boycott. The decision eliminates the only party poised to present a credible challenge to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s bid for a fourth consecutive term in power.
Led by former premier Khaleda Zia, the BNP cited a sweeping crackdown resulting in the arrest of thousands of its members as the primary reason for its boycott. On the last day of filing candidate nominations before the January 7 polls, the BNP chose not to apply for contesting any seat.
A.K.M Wahiduzzaman, a spokesman for the party, stated, “We are boycotting the election. We remained steadfast to our stand that we will not take part in any election with Sheikh Hasina in power.”
The BNP, along with other parties, has been actively protesting, urging Hasina to relinquish power and allow a neutral government to oversee the elections—a demand the government deems unconstitutional.
Human Rights Watch raised concerns about a “violent autocratic crackdown” on Monday, noting nearly 10,000 opposition activists arrested and at least 16 people killed since October, including two police officers. Wahiduzzaman, accusing Hasina of rigging previous elections, claimed an even higher number of arrests, stating, “She has arrested more than 18,090 of our leaders and supporters in an unprecedented crackdown since late October 28 to rig another election.”
Despite Hasina’s tenure witnessing significant economic growth, international concerns have been raised over democratic regression and thousands of extrajudicial killings. Other key opposition parties, including Jamaat-i-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, have also declared their intention to boycott the elections.
Election Commission spokesman Shariful Alam mentioned that the participating parties would be confirmed later on Thursday.
By AFP
