The United States and the United Kingdom have criticized the recent elections in Bangladesh, stating that they were not credible, free, or fair. Both countries, which have trade and development ties with Bangladesh, also condemned the political violence that occurred before the election took place on Sunday. Despite low turnout and the main opposition party boycotting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party won more than two-thirds of the parliamentary seats.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office expressed its concerns about the lack of consistent democratic standards in the lead-up to the election. They emphasized the importance of credible, open, and fair competition in democratic elections, as well as the need for respect for human rights, the rule of law, and due process. The UK government was particularly troubled by the significant number of arrests of opposition party members before polling day.
Similarly, the United States issued a statement expressing its concerns about the arrests of thousands of political opposition members and the reports of irregularities on election day. The US State Department spokesperson urged the Bangladeshi government to investigate the allegations of violence and hold those responsible accountable. The United States shared the view of other observers that the elections were not free or fair, and they regretted the absence of participation from all parties.
China, Russia, India, and several other countries congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her victory and pledged to continue partnering with Bangladesh.
In the election, Prime Minister Hasina’s ruling Awami League won 222 seats out of the 299 contested. Independent candidates secured 62 seats, while the third-largest party, Jatiya Party, won 11 seats. Three smaller parties also secured three seats. The result in one seat remained undeclared, and the election for another seat was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, boycotted the election. The voter turnout was just 41.8%.
While election day itself was relatively calm, a wave of violence preceded the vote. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed that more than 20,000 of their supporters had been arrested since an anti-government rally turned violent in Dhaka on October 28. The government disputed these figures, stating that arrests were made for specific charges such as arson and vandalism. Bangladesh has a history of political violence and polarization, with Ms. Hasina and Ms. Zia governing the country alternately for many years.
The recent election has raised questions about its credibility, especially when there are no major challengers to the incumbent party. The international community’s concerns about the lack of fairness and transparency in the election process serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding democratic principles.
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