DHAKA – On the day of general elections in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took a sharp jab at the boycotting Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), branding it a “terrorist organisation.” Prime Minister Hasina, casting her vote at City College in Dhaka, underscored her commitment to preserving democracy in the nation.
“Our country is sovereign and independent… We have established people’s democratic rights… I want to make sure that democracy should continue in this country, and without democracy, you can’t make any development,” remarked Hasina after casting her vote.
She emphasized the significance of democracy for the nation’s progress and expressed hope for her party’s victory, aiming for a fifth term. Sheikh Hasina highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements under a long-term democratic system from 2009 to 2023.
The BNP, led by former Prime Minister Khalida Zia, chose not to participate in the elections, citing concerns about fairness. The party called for a 48-hour nationwide strike to demand the resignation of Hasina’s “illegal government.” It urged the public to abstain from participating in what they termed a “sham” election.
With the main opposition absent, Hasina is anticipated to secure a fourth consecutive term and her fifth overall in the 12th general assembly election. Over 119.6 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes at more than 42,000 polling stations. Women constitute nearly half of the eligible voters, with approximately 15 million being first-time voters.
As the elections unfold, Bangladesh awaits the outcome that will shape its political landscape for the coming years.
