Dhaka.Today, Bangladesh is set to conduct general elections, and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is poised to secure a fourth consecutive win, notably with the main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), abstaining from the electoral process. The BNP has not only boycotted the elections but also called for a 48-hour nationwide strike.
The Election Commission has confirmed the completion of preparations for voting in 300 constituencies nationwide, ensuring adequate security measures. With more than 42,000 polling stations, the Election Commission anticipates the participation of 11.96 crore registered voters in the Sunday voting session.
More than 1,500 candidates from 27 political parties are in the fray in this general election and apart from them there are also 436 independent candidates. More than 100 foreign observers, including three observers from India, will monitor the 12th general elections. This election is being conducted amidst tight security.
Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh Kazi Habibul Awal said that ‘We want our general elections to be seen not only at the national level but also at the international level. Bangladesh is a member of the United Nations and has also signed various international documents. The Election Commission said that voting will start at 8 in the morning and end at 5 in the evening.
The election results are expected to be declared on the morning of January 8.Prime Minister Hasina’s ruling Awami League is expected to win for the fourth consecutive time as former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s party has boycotted the elections.
Khaleda is under house arrest after being convicted on corruption charges. Sheikh Hasina, in a nationally televised speech this week, had urged pro-democracy and law-abiding parties not to give air to such ideas that would ‘hinder’ the country’s constitutional process. Meanwhile, BNP has appealed for a 48-hour nationwide strike from Saturday.
