Bangladesh witnessed a historic moment on 7th January as the 12th national election concluded. As the results poured in throughout the night, a resounding victory for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina became more and more likely. She has likely secured her fourth consecutive term in office, despite the opposition’s attempts to disrupt the election with violence and boycott. The people of Bangladesh expressed their overwhelming support for her leadership and vision, as they celebrated the peaceful and successful outcome of the vote. The country had avoided the turmoil and anarchy that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had planned, and instead, reaffirmed its commitment to democracy and development.
You can also read: Sheikh Hasina Secures Historic Fifth Term Amidst Global Acclaim
The voter turnout was impressive, with around 40 percent of the eligible voters casting their ballots by 3 p.m. local time, according to Jahangir Alam, the secretary of Bangladesh’s election commission. However, some Western media outlets, such as the New York Times, tried to cast doubt on the legitimacy and fairness of the election. They ignored the fact that it was the combination of AL’s stellar performance and BNP’s self-defeating inaction that led to this landslide victory for AL.
BNP’s Dogmatic Stance and Internal Strife
Fundamentally, this (caretaker government) is anti-democratic,”- Paulo Casaca, former Portuguese MP, member of the European Parliament and Foreign Observer in the 12th National Election.
The election commission had made several efforts to persuade the BNP to join the democratic process, hoping to create a vibrant democracy and boost voter participation. However, the BNP stubbornly refused to participate in the election, unless their unconstitutional demand for a caretaker government was met. The election commission even offered to postpone the election date to accommodate the BNP but to no avail.
The BNP’s power was concentrated in the hands of Tarique Rahman, who ruled the party with an iron fist from his exile in London. He had no regard for the veteran party leaders, who were sidelined and humiliated by him. His megalomania and greed had alienated many of his loyal followers, who left the party in droves in the last few months. Around 100 BNP leaders, including some prominent figures, joined different parties like Trinamool BNP and contested the election.
Past Elections Boycott by BNP
This was not the first time that the BNP had boycotted an election. In 2014, the BNP had also abstained from participating in the election, fearing another defeat after their dismal performance in 2008. They demanded an impartial caretaker government, which was against the constitution. They had unleashed a wave of violence and chaos across the country, including protests, shutdowns, strikes, blockades, and anti-election campaigns. However, their tactics had backfired, as the people of Bangladesh rejected their destructive agenda and voted for Sheikh Hasina’s progressive and inclusive policies.
The announcement of the election sparked a wave of bloodshed and chaos by the BNP, claiming 153 lives and crippling the economy. The opposition tried everything to stop the election, even seeking international support, but failed. The international community, which had earlier called for an inclusive election, switched sides after the polls, condemning the violence but showing readiness to work with the victorious Awami League. The BNP, a major opposition party, had boycotted the 2014 election, fearing another defeat after losing in 2008. The boycott was based on the demand for a neutral caretaker government, which was not met. The party had vowed not to take part in the election without this demand and unleashed a reign of terror, including riots, shutdowns, strikes, blockades, and anti-election rallies.
Bangladesh’s Impressive Economic Performance Under Awami League
Thanks to carefully curated economic policies by Awami League that focused on investments in the garment industry and widespread economic growth of other industries. The nation’s income per capita soared past India’s, a remarkable feat for a once-struggling country. But Bangladesh’s success is not only measured by money. It has also made great strides in education, health, women’s empowerment and disaster resilience. Its leader, Ms. Hasina, has skillfully navigated the complex geopolitics of the region, maintaining cordial relations with both China and India. Her visionary economic policies and her savvy diplomacy have earned her the admiration and trust of 70% of her people.
Foreign Observers Praise Election
“It’s been a very fair and free process for people walking in. There’s a lot of good security and a very transparent process,”
Shaoquett Moselmane, Australian observer.
Bangladesh’s general elections on Sunday were hailed as a triumph of democracy by foreign observers, who witnessed the voting process at various centres. They lauded the people of Bangladesh for their enthusiasm and courage in exercising their franchise. One of them was Jim Bates, a former US Congressman and a veteran election observer, who declared the election as “free and fair”. He said he was impressed by the high turnout and the peaceful atmosphere. Another observer echoed his sentiments, saying he hoped the rest of the day would be as calm as the morning.
The foreign observers also included representatives from Canada, Russia, OIC and the Arab Parliament, who endorsed the legitimacy and validity of the election. They congratulated Bangladesh for conducting a smooth and transparent election, despite the boycott by the opposition BNP, which they criticized as undemocratic. Shaoquett Moselmane, an observer from Australia, said he was amazed by the security and clarity of the process. He said it was a very fair and free experience for the voters.
Hisham Kuhali, the Chief Electoral Officer of Palestine, was another observer who praised the election. He said he was satisfied with the way the votes were cast and counted. He said he did not see any violence or disruption during the election. He said the Bangladeshis should be proud of their electoral system, which he described as very simple and efficient. He said it was very good by international standards, referring to the time it took to cast a vote.
The Results Silence the Critics
The 12th national election polls were held under the watchful eyes of nearly 300 observers and journalists, who were authorized by the Election Commission (EC) to ensure a democratic, impartial, and trustworthy electoral process. The EC had repeatedly invited the major opposition party, BNP, to join the polls and promised a fair election. However, the BNP and some of its allies chose to boycott the polls and unleashed violence across the country. The EC’s neutral efforts were in vain, as the BNP’s absence from the election was sealed by its own decision.
As the unofficial results trickled in, a clear picture emerged. AL had clinched a decisive victory, but it was not the “eyewash/sham” that the BNP-Jamaat-led parties had alleged, nor was it the “one-sided” affair that the Western media had accused. A large number of seats were won by independent candidates, who defied the odds and the threats. Jatiya Party (The main opposition) also secured an impressive number of seats. The parliamentary democracy of Bangladesh was alive and vibrant, despite the attempts to undermine it. The allegations of the Western Media have been proven wrong and silenced.
