Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won her fourth consecutive term in a controversial election, securing another five years in office for herself and her party, the Awami League. However, the election has been marred by allegations of a “sham” process and mass arrests of opposition leaders and supporters. The boycott by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), further raises questions about the legitimacy of the government. This victory could lead to concerns of de-facto one-party rule and continued crackdown on dissent.
The controversial election saw the Awami League and its allies win 152 of the 300 parliamentary seats, while independents won 45 seats and the Jatiya Party won 8 seats. The BNP boycotted the election after their demands for an independent caretaker government were rejected. The government has denied accusations of arresting political opponents and claims that the cases are related to incidents from previous elections.
Human Rights Watch has estimated that nearly 10,000 activists were arrested after a violent opposition rally in October, which resulted in fatalities and injuries. The government’s commitment to free and fair elections has been called into question, especially as it concurrently fills prisons with political opponents.
The victory of the Awami League could potentially lead to a lack of political diversity and opposition in Bangladesh. The government’s crackdown on dissent and the boycott by the BNP raise concerns over the democratic process. The BNP has called on people to not cast votes, further highlighting the dissatisfaction with the current government.
Despite the controversy surrounding the election, supporters of Sheikh Hasina credit her for providing political stability and economic success to the country. Under her leadership, Bangladesh has achieved economic growth, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the region. It has also reduced poverty and become a major player in the garment industry. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic downturn have brought economic challenges, including rising inflation and the need to tackle public fallout.
International pressure is mounting on Bangladesh, with visa restrictions imposed by the US on officials undermining the democratic process, and concerns raised by the UN and other organizations regarding human rights abuses and the stifling of dissent. However, support from India may deter major sanctions from the West, as well as any withdrawal of concessions to the garment industry that would negatively impact millions of workers, particularly women.
Looking ahead, Sheikh Hasina’s fourth term raises the question of succession and the future of the Awami League. As the longest-serving leader in Bangladesh’s history, the end of her term will leave a significant gap in leadership. The election result may be clear, but the uncertainty surrounding the country’s future remains.
