Amid BNP Boycott, Polling Begins, Few Clashes Reported

Bangladesh Elections Voting LIVE Updates: Bangladesh goes to polls on Sunday, 7 January, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League slated to win a fourth consecutive and fifth overall term after the main opposition boycotted polls.

As voting continues for the polls, PM Hasina cast her vote in Dhaka on Sunday morning.

Sources in Dhaka told The Quint that while voting begun calmly, some incidents of violence are being reported in regions across the country. In Chandgaon, Chattagram (formerly Chittagong), there were reports of clashes between BNP activists and the police.

The government has reportedly deployed Armed forces, to the effect of nearly 750,000 police, paramilitary and auxiliaries of the police till 10 January as tensions spiked across Bangladesh.

The BNP called for a 48-hour nationwide general strike starting Saturday to demand the resignation of the “illegal government” of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and to protest against the January 7 general election.

With the BNP boycotting the election and no other credible opposition in sight, Hasina’s Awami League is poised to secure an advantage, potentially forming the government for the fourth consecutive term.

In Chandgaon, Chattagram (formerly Chittagong), there were reports of clashes between BNP activists and the police.

According to Pankaj Dutta, a senior police official speaking to The Daily Star, a faction of BNP workers obstructed roads in an attempt to cause chaos. “They hurled stones at law enforcement, prompting a response with shotguns,” he said.

Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, “…The leadership of BNP has become very crucial and they are taking decisions against people’s will.”

“We have received support from the inception of Bangladesh…I know what cooperation we received from India. So, we believe that this type of brotherly relation will continue,” he added.

As part of their election boycott strategy, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has declared a 48-hour nationwide general strike, set to commence from January 6. The party’s stance is rooted in the belief that any election conducted under the existing government would lack fairness and credibility.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, the BNP spokesperson, confirmed the strike, stating its purpose as a means to emphasise their demands for include the resignation of the current Hasina government, which they call “illegal,” the establishment of a caretaker government, and the release of all incarcerated party leaders and activists.

More than 100 foreign observers, including three from India, are set to oversee the upcoming general election in Dhaka and other regions of Bangladesh.

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen informed reporters that 60 foreign observers and experts have already arrived, with a total of 127 expected to participate. Additionally, 73 foreign journalists have been granted accreditation to cover the event.

Other election observers hail from the European Union, the Commonwealth, the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), the South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF), and several other institutions.

As Bangladesh goes to polls, PM Sheikh Hasina also extended her wishes to India, stating that Bangladesh is lucky to “have a trusted friend” like India, citing India’s support during the Liberation War in 1971.

“We are very lucky..India is our trusted friend. During our Liberation War, they supported us…After 1975, when we lost our whole family…they gave us shelter. So our best wishes to the people of India,” reports ANI.

“I think the voter turnout will not be less than 50 percent by the end of the day. The environment is peaceful across the country,” said Bangladesh Election Commissioner Anisur Rahman, reports PTI.

For India, Bangladesh’s elections are an important event not only because Bangladesh shares borders with five Indian states and that it is an important diplomatic and security partner, but also because India and its allies, in this case, the US, are backing rival political parties.

During Hasina’s tenure, India has garnered substantial support from Bangladesh in addressing insurgency in India’s Northeast, facilitating transit, securing access to key ports in the Bay of Bengal, and finalising energy agreements. This includes Bangladesh purchasing electricity at a higher cost.

As voting began for the general elections, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina cast her vote in Dhaka, ANI reported.

Anowara Islam Rani, a young transgender from Bangladesh’s northern region is set to become the first transgender candidate to participate in the nation’s elections.

Rani is running for office from the Rangpur-3 constituency.

The imminent election in Bangladesh features the ruling Awami League and the primary opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Since 1991, the Awami League has held office for four terms, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has governed twice.

• Established in 1949 by Bangladeshi nationalists as an alternative to the East Pakistan-based Muslim League, the Awami League played a pivotal role in the country’s independence struggle under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Presently, Sheikh Hasina, Mujib’s daughter, has served as Prime Minister since 2009.

• The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, founded in 1978 by former army general Ziaur Rahman, saw leadership under Ziaur until his assassination in 1981. His wife, Khaleda Zia, took the helm until her incarceration in 2018, followed by house arrest starting in 2020. Currently, the party is led by Khaleda’s son, Tarique Rahman, residing in exile in London.

• The BNP has opted to boycott the upcoming elections, branding them a “sham” predetermined with a fixed outcome, as stated by Tarique Rahman.

• The Jatiya Party (Ershad), Bangladesh’s third-largest party with 27 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, intends to participate in the elections. However, it appears unlikely to pose a significant challenge to Sheikh Hasina’s dominance.

As Bangladesh goes to poll for the 2024 general elections today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, reported ANI:

“Our country is sovereign and independent…We have a big population. We have established people’s democratic rights…I want to make sure that democracy should continue in this country….”

While you wait for polling to commence, take a look at The Quint’s in-depth coverage ahead of the 2024 Bangladesh Election, including deep-dive analysis, contributor opinion and more.

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The Dhaka-bound Benapole Express train in Bangladesh was allegedly set on fire, claiming the lives of at least four people (including a child) and injuring eight others after a suspected arson attack took place on Friday night, 5 January, sources told The Quint.

The suspected train attack, along with reported incidents where polling booths were set on fire, came in the lead up to 7 January polls.