Bangladesh Elections: Prime Minister Hasina Expected to Secure Fourth Term Amidst Opposition Boycott

Nearly 170 million people in Bangladesh will vote on Sunday to elect 299 lawmakers in the country’s 12th national election, amidst tight security and a boycott by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), according to Al Jazeera. The BNP, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, decided to boycott the election after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected their demand for her resignation and the formation of a caretaker government. With over 42,000 polling stations and 119.6 million registered voters, the election is expected to see Prime Minister Hasina win a fourth consecutive term. The Supreme Court provided clearance for the Election Commission to proceed with the general elections, and preparations are underway with the deployment of international election observer teams from countries such as India and the European Union. The Bangladesh Election Commission’s election application, Smart Election Management BD, crashed on the eve of polling, causing some disruption. Additionally, acts of violence were reported in the lead-up to the election, with a number of polling centers and schools set on fire. Despite these challenges, the election will be monitored by approximately 180 overseas observers, reflecting international interest in the process.