Awami League victory

Instability Looms Over Post-Election Bangladesh

by
Instability Looms Over Post-Election Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s prime minister for the fifth time following a highly controversial election held on January 7. The Awami League (AL), which she leads, won 222 of 300 (almost 75 percent) seats in Parliament. Independents won 62 seats and the Jatiya Party, known as “the ruling party’s managed opposition,” … Read more

Bangladesh’s Flawed Election Increases Polarization, Risk of Violence

by
Bangladesh’s Flawed Election Increases Polarization, Risk of Violence

Bangladesh’s January 7 general election had many of the trappings of a democratic poll — thousands of candidates, scores of vote monitoring organizations, large rallies, a swarming press pack, and even catchy campaign tunes. More important was what the vote lacked: any semblance of competition and the participation of most voters. Opposition forces led by … Read more