Bangladesh Elections Explained: Sheikh Hasina Eyes A Fifth Term Amid Intense Political Unrest

Dhaka - Amid ongoing political turmoil among different political factions, Banglesh is all set to go to polls today, i.e. January 7. About 120 million voters are expected to choose from nearly 2,000 candidates for 300 directly elected parliamentary seats. general elections are crucial for Banglesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who will be seeking a fifth term in office. However, highly anticipated elections are also marred with controversies with main opposition party - Banglesh Nationalist Party (BNP) vying to boycott polls. If everything goes according to schedule voting will begin at 8 am (local time) and end at 4 pm (local time). counting will commence shortly after with initial results expected by early Monday. 

Things started to escalate in October last year when BNP, took to streets of Dhaka demanding Bangleshi premier appoint a neutral caretaker government to ensure free and fair elections. However, demands were left neglected and dely clashes broke out across country. Not only this, several BNP leers and ir supporters were arrested which attracted attention from all around world, especially United States. As Banglesh gears up for an intense election, here's all you need to know about political dynamics that are in play.

How Hasina's reign faced setbacks

It is important to note that Hasina has managed to hold on to Prime Minister's post due to economic success Banglesh witnessed under her tenure. However, dely COVID-19 pandemic left this economic success in complete shambles. In post-pandemic era, country has been hit with rising inflation and an escalated cost of living. According to Time, country also witnessed a doubling of foreign debt since 2016, while foreign exchange reserves have been drastically dropping to $20 billion from $48 billion in August 2021.

Amid chaos, several domestic and international civil bodies accused country's regime of taking increasingly authoritarian measures to stifle dissent and curtail civil liberties through systematic arrests and disappearances of critics. “ weaponization of judicial system to attack journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society leers diminishes independence of judiciary and erodes fundamental human rights,” a group of UN special rapporteurs stated in November last year.

One of main opposition lives in exile

While re are a plethora of opposition movements taking place at home, main challenger to Bangleshi Prime Minister is actually residing 5,000 miles away in London. Tarique Rahman, son of Former Prime Minister of Banglesh, Khaleda Zia, is currently in exile with his wife and daughter since 2008. In August last year, a court in Dhaka sentenced Rahman to nine years in prison over corruption charges in a 2007 case. Hasina's critic went on to call judgment “politically motivated”. Meanwhile, BNP supremo Zia is currently under house arrest and is suffering from deteriorating health conditions. Hence, she is out of mainstream politics leaving Rehman as acting party chairman.  “ main challenge for BNP is that ruling party is controlling all state machinery, wher it’s law enforcement agencies or judiciary,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, BNP’s Secretary-General, told Time.  “So whenever we raise our voices, y oppress us, y arrest us, y make false claims and fake cases,” he ded. However, it is important to note that party has been accused of causing instability in country and is known for having solid connections with China. 

How do international actors have key stakes in elections?

In September last year, US Department of State said that it would be taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangleshi nationals who were found guilty of interfering in or "undermining" upcoming democratic election process in South Asian nation. “ Department of State is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on Bangleshi individuals responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democratic election process in Banglesh.  se individuals include members of law enforcement, ruling party, and political opposition.   United States is committed to supporting free and fair elections in Banglesh that are carried out in a peaceful manner,” American State Department said in a statement. “Persons found to have been responsible for, or complicit in, undermining democratic election process in Banglesh may also be found ineligible for U.S. visas under this policy in future. This includes current and former Bangleshi officials, members of opposition and ruling political parties, and members of law enforcement, judiciary, and security services,” department furred. 

Shortly after announcement, Banglesh government pushed back against Western censure. country's Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen went on to compare move to Western interventions in Iraq and elsewhere. “Look at Iraq, what did you do, in name of false propaganda?” he told Financial Times, insisting that West is trying to “create chaos”. Meanwhile, Hasina brushed off censure and asked nationals not to worry. "re are or oceans and or continents in world. We will make friends with those continents crossing or oceans. Our economy will be stronger and more developed and vibrant," Hasina remarked according to reports by Daily Star. 

How Banglesh elections matter to India? 

Sheikh Hasina ministration is known for having strong ties with India for years. Just hours before commencement of election process, Hasina called India a “trusted friend”.  “We are very lucky...India is our trusted friend. During our liberation war, y supported us...After 1975, when we lost our whole family...y gave us shelter. So our best wishes to people of India,” Bangleshi premier told ANI on Sunday. Both nations have been actively involved in tre and initiating development projects for deces. 

However, Dhaka's proximity to China has been a matter of concern for both India and United States. It is a known fact that Beijing has been leveraging its ambitious Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI) to secure influence in Banglesh. Under initiative,  China is implementing 21 bridges and 27 power projects in Banglesh and around 670 Chinese companies have alrey invested in country. Hence, results of highly intense Banglesh elections will be closely monitored by several international actors.