DHAKA: Bangladesh is heading to the polls in an election that is expected to secure Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s fifth term, following a boycott by opposition parties that have faced mass arrests.
Hasina’s tenure has seen significant economic growth, but her government has been criticized for human rights abuses and a crackdown on the opposition.
The ruling Awami League faces minimal competition, and some voters report being threatened with the confiscation of welfare cards if they do not support the ruling party. The opposition, led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), demanded Hasina’s resignation last year, leading to widespread protests and arrests.
Around 25,000 opposition cadres, including the entire local leadership of the BNP, were reportedly arrested in the subsequent crackdown. While scattered protests persist, they are significantly subdued compared to the massive rallies witnessed last year.
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The political landscape has long been dominated by the rivalry between Hasina and Khaleda Zia, but the BNP, along with numerous other parties, has refused to participate in what they term a “sham election.” Khaleda Zia is currently in ailing health, and her son, Tarique Rahman, leads the BNP from exile in London.
Hasina, accused of human rights violations and facing economic challenges, has positioned herself as the decisive victor in past elections. However, accusations of irregularities and rigging have marred previous polls.
The United States has imposed sanctions on a police unit and its top commanders, alleging extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Economic concerns, including food cost spikes and chronic blackouts in 2022, have contributed to dissatisfaction.
Wage stagnation in the crucial garment sector, which forms a significant portion of the country’s exports, has led to industrial unrest, highlighting potential challenges for Hasina’s government.
As Bangladeshis head to the ballot box, the combination of growing discontent and limited political alternatives poses potential risks for the country’s political stability.
