Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured her unprecedented fifth term despite a low voter turnout and boycotts during the general elections. The Awami League Party, under her leadership, clinched an absolute majority with an early lead in the polls, winning 216 out of 224 seats. However, the Election Commission has yet to declare the final results for the remaining seats.
This victory marks Sheikh Hasina’s fifth term as prime minister, solidifying her position as the world’s longest-serving female head of state. The Bangladesh elections of 2024 were not devoid of controversies and challenges, notably the opposition-led boycott by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former PM Khaleda Zia.
Tensions escalated prior to the elections, with accusations of anti-national activities against the BNP, resulting in their decision to boycott after their demand for Hasina to step down was not met, hindering hopes for a neutral caretaker government.
Despite the subdued voter turnout at 40 percent and sporadic pre-election unrest, Election Day itself remained relatively peaceful. However, the period leading up to the polls was marred by incidents of violence, with authorities attributing much of it to the BNP, alleging attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
Sheikh Hasina Claims Historic Win
Prime Minister and Awami League President #SheikhHasina has described the just-concluded #election as an exceptional one in which the people emerged victorious. “We wanted to preserve the people’s voting rights and make the election fair so that the voters could freely choose whom they want to be their representatives.”
The results, while securing a clear win for the Awami League, also saw independent candidates securing seats, with the Election Commission still finalizing results for a few constituencies. Amid her victory, Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude to India for their historical support, acknowledging their shelter during a period of exile following tragic events within her family.
In a twitter post she wrote: Spoke to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her on her victory for a historic fourth consecutive term in the Parliamentary elections. I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections. We are committed to further strengthen our enduring and people-centric partnership with Bangladesh.
In an unprecedented yet contentious electoral atmosphere, Sheikh Hasina’s triumph stands as a testament to the evolving political landscape in Bangladesh, amid concerns of legitimacy and calls for inclusivity in the democratic process.
Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has described the just-concluded election as an exceptional one in which the people emerged victorious.
“We wanted to preserve the people’s voting rights and make the election fair so that the voters could freely choose whom they want to be their representatives,” she said in a question-and-answer session with local and foreign election observers at Ganabhaban on Monday (Jan 8).
She said her government has created an example of a free and neutral election. “This election has secured the people’s voting rights… we’ll take the oath of office and form a cabinet following the constitutional process,” Prime Minister Hasina said.
The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority in Sunday’s national election, which will allow the party to form the government for the fourth consecutive term led by Hasina. The BNP boycotted the election and opted for a violent protest to thwart the polls but in vain.
“I’ve seen death up close. The numerous attacks designed to dissuade me from speaking about the people’s rights only bolstered my conviction. I continued to work to ensure basic rights,” she said.
The Awami League chief said that in the new term, her government will prioritise food and nutritional security, further developing the communication system, poverty alleviation, infrastructural development and other remaining works.
Sheikh Hasina, the world’s longest-serving prime minister, said her goal is to build a smart country by 2041 where everyone will live happily in a prosperous country.
