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
The January 7 general election in Bangladesh has drawn the attention of the international media, especially since the violent crackdown against the opposition began on October 28. On that day, law enforcement agencies forcibly dispersed a peaceful rally of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Thousands of BNP leaders and activists have been arrested since. … Read more
December 16 is commemorated annually as Victory Day in Bangladesh, the day the Pakistan Armed Forces were formally defeated in the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971, which sealed Bangladesh as an independent country. This year on Victory Day, Bangladesh’s main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) organized a massive rally in the capital city … Read more
During cricket matches, viewers can see a win probability percentage of the teams playing on the field. Sometimes, in the last few overs, the result of the match becomes so obvious that the winning team’s win probability turns 99 percent. A similar scenario is unfolding in Bangladesh. In an election scheduled for January 7, 2024, … Read more
Bangladesh’s Awami League (AL) government is pressing ahead with holding general elections in January 2024 amid what Human Rights Watch says is a “violent autocratic crackdown” on the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). At least 10,000 opposition activists have been arrested since October 28 and many grassroots activists have fled their homes to avoid arrest … Read more
Bangladesh will vote in parliamentary elections on January 7. However, the election is far from inclusive, as around one-third of the country’s 44 registered political parties will not be participating. Several opposition parties have called for a boycott of the election since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina refused to heed their demand to hold elections under … Read more
On November 10, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told a press conference in New Delhi that India “respects the democratic process in Bangladesh.” “When it comes to developments in Bangladesh, elections in Bangladesh, it is their domestic matter. It is for the people of Bangladesh to decide their future,” Kwatra said, describing India “as a … Read more
Advertisement Bangladesh is just a few months away from its next general election, but the ruling Awami League (AL) and the opposition parties are locked in a disagreement over the administration of the election. While the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) wants elections under a non-partisan caretaker government, as they believe that elections under Prime … Read more
Advertisement Bangladesh is due to vote in general elections in January 2024. Opposition parties are threatening to boycott the election if the Awami League government does not meet their demand for elections under a caretaker government. The opposition’s protest rallies have been peaceful so far, but this could change in the coming weeks and months, … Read more
Advertisement Bangladesh is heading into a tumultuous election season. The country is scheduled to vote in general elections in January 2024. Elections in 2014 and 2018 were controversial and Bangladeshis as well as their country’s foreign friends are keenly observing events and guessing what lies ahead. In this article, I put forward three scenarios based … Read more