Over 100 international observers, together with three from India, will monitor the election.
Bangladesh is about to vote in its twelfth basic election in the present day amid a boycott and strike by the principle opposition get together. There have additionally been incidents of arson, together with at the least 5 faculties and a practice being set ablaze.
Listed here are 10 factors on this growing story:
-
Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League get together has been the prime minister of Bangladesh since 2008 and is poised to win a fourth straight time period as a result of the election has been boycotted by the principle opposition get together – the Bangladesh Nationalist Get together (BNP).
-
The BNP is led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who’s beneath home arrest after being convicted on corruption costs. The get together has referred to as a 48-hour nationwide basic strike, which started at 6 am on Saturday. Get together spokesperson Ruhul Kabir Rizvi mentioned the strike was geared toward urgent for his or her calls for for ”resignation of the unlawful authorities, institution of a non-party impartial authorities and launch of all get together leaders and activists from jail”.
-
There have been incidents of violence and arson forward of the election. At the very least 5 faculties, together with 4 designated as polling centres for the final election, have been set ablaze. 4 coaches of the Jessore-Dhaka Benapole Specific have been additionally set on fireplace on Friday, killing 4 folks. Arson associated to the polls is suspected in each incidents.
-
Kazi Habibul Awal, Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh, mentioned there isn’t any query in regards to the legitimacy of elections. ”One concern is violence is seen and the voters are conscious of the violence. Whether it is repeated, which will have a unfavourable impression on the voters in turning up at polling stations, and I’ve no hesitation in admitting that. However we now have engaged 8 lakh legislation enforcement personnel, all well-armed, who can be on responsibility throughout polling time,” he mentioned.
-
”This time, a bit of disaster goes to occur as one main political group has mentioned do not go to the polling stations. One other main political group has mentioned come to the polling station and present people who voters have turned up… Had BNP participated within the election, it could have been extra aggressive, extra inclusive and extra festive. That may be a actuality,” Mr Awal added.
-
Sheikh Hasina, whose authorities has arrested 1000’s of rival politicians and supporters forward of the polls, has urged pro-democratic and law-abiding events to not gas concepts that ”disrupt” the nation’s constitutional course of, information company PTI reported.
-
The prime minister is credited with turning across the nation’s financial system and supercharging its clothes trade. The expansion has, nevertheless, slowed since mid-2022 and consultants have mentioned financial stability can be a serious problem for the subsequent authorities.
-
Over 100 international observers, together with three from India, will monitor the election. India has mentioned the election is an ”inside matter” whereas some nations, together with america, have referred to as for credible and inclusive polls, in accordance with PTI.
-
Voting can be held for 300 constituencies within the 350-strong Parliament – the Jatiyo Shangsad. The opposite 50 seats are reserved for girls and are allotted based mostly on the power of the events within the Parliament after the election.
-
Practically 2,000 candidates are within the fray and a report 5.1% of them are girls. Voting will start at 8 am native time – when Sheikh Hasina is anticipated to forged her poll – and finish at 4 pm. Counting will begin after voting ends and preliminary outcomes are anticipated by Monday.