Bangladesh elections: Sheikh Hasina labels polls a farce, demands ‘fresh, fair vote’; targets Yunus | India News
New Delhi: The Bangladesh Awami League on Sunday dismissed the country’s parliamentary elections as a “well-planned farce” and claimed that the vote held without party participation flouted democratic norms and the constitution. In a statement posted on its X handle after polling ended and counting began, the party expressed gratitude to citizens – including mothers, sisters and minority communities – for rejecting what it called a “voter-less” election.The Awami League alleged that the farcical polling began on the evening of February 11 with occupation of polling stations, firing, distribution of cash, vote buying, stamping of ballots and signatures of agents on result sheets without voter participation. By 11 a.m. on February 12, just three and a half hours after voting, only 14.96% of eligible voters had participated, according to the Election Commission, while many polling stations, especially in Dhaka and other key areas, had no voters. The party also claimed that in the days leading up to the elections, its supporters, voters and minority communities faced constant intimidation, arrests and attacks aimed at mandatory conscription. Despite these threats, the Awami League said voters largely stayed away, effectively leaving polling stations empty. The party expressed concern over the “abnormal increase” in voter turnout in certain constituencies, particularly in the capital, calling the figures dubious.In response, Awami League highlighted their demands
- cancel the election,
- Resignation of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus
- Release of political prisoners including journalists, teachers, intellectuals
- Withdrawal of false cases, withdrawal of ban on the activities of Awami League.
The party called for fresh, free, fair and inclusive elections under an impartial caretaker government to restore voting rights to citizens.
