Sheikh Hasina Thanks the Nation for Boycotting the Vote, Demands Participatory and Free Elections

Describing the 13th National Parliament election as a “well-planned farce” and a “fraudulent arrangement,” former Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has demanded the immediate cancellation of the election and the arrangement of a new vote under a neutral caretaker government. She made these remarks in a written statement after the voting held on Thursday.

In the statement, Sheikh Hasina said, “Today’s so-called election was essentially a well-planned farce. Ignoring the people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the Constitution, an election without the Awami League and without voters has been arranged.” She claimed that the election failed to reflect public participation and trust.

The former Prime Minister alleged that irregularities began from the night before the election. According to her statement, from the evening of February 11, incidents occurred in different areas including the occupation of polling centers, gunfire, pre-stamping of ballot papers, buying and selling votes in exchange for money, and taking agents’ signatures on result sheets. “Through these, the farce began,” she mentioned.

Highlighting the low voter turnout at centers on voting day, Sheikh Hasina said that from the morning most centers had “negligible presence.” Referring to Election Commission data, Sheikh Hasina said, “Until 11:00 am, the voting rate was only 14.96%. During the peak voting time, such low participation of the people proves that this Awami League-less vote has been boycotted and rejected by the people.”

She alleged that over the past few days, Awami League voters, supporters, well-wishers, and members of minority communities had been subjected to continuous attacks, arrests, and intimidation. “Despite all intimidation, they have boycotted and rejected this fraudulent election,” Sheikh Hasina said.

Along with cancelling the election, Sheikh Hasina demanded the resignation of the head of the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the release of all political prisoners, the withdrawal of the ban imposed on the Awami League, and the holding of a participatory and free election under a neutral caretaker government. According to her, there is no alternative to a new acceptable election in order to reflect the true will of the people.