Sheikh Hasina Warns of Democratic Collapse and Extremism Ahead of Bangladesh Election
Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has given an extensive statement regarding the political instability, democratic crisis, and rise of extremism surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming national election. In an interview with an Indian media outlet, she alleged that extremist forces have become active with the direct patronage of the interim government, and under such circumstances there is no possibility that the forthcoming election will be free, fair, or participatory.
Fear of Awami League’s Popularity Behind Election Ban, Say Party Leaders
Senior leaders of Bangladesh’s Awami League on Saturday accused the country’s interim government of being incapable of conducting free and fair elections and of deliberately barring the party from participating in the upcoming polls out of fear of its growing popularity.
Islamic Movement Bangladesh Quits Jamaat-Led Bloc, Citing Ideological Differences
Islamic Movement Bangladesh has announced that it will contest independently in 268 constituencies, ultimately deciding not to join the Jamaat-e-Islami–led electoral alliance.
Violence Against Women, Children, and Minorities Rising in Bangladesh Ahead of Election
Ahead of the upcoming national election scheduled for 12 February, violence against women, girls, and religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh has increased at an alarming rate, according to the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW).
An Election Cannot Be Called Democratic Without All Parties
Four British Members of Parliament have called for Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election to be inclusive. They said that no election can be described as “democratic” if all political parties do not participate.
EU Observer Chief: A Participatory Election Means Inclusion of All
The head of the European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission, Dr. Ivars Ijabs, has said, “A participatory election means the participation of everyone.” However, clarifying that holding or observing a referendum is outside the EU’s mandate, he made it clear that the EU will remain limited to observing parliamentary elections only.
Rule Issued Over JP, NDF Election Participation
The High Court has issued a rule asking the concerned parties to explain why the candidacies of candidates from the Jatiya Party (GM Quader), a faction of the Jatiya Party led by Anisul Islam Mahmud, and the National Democratic Front (NDF) led by JP Chairman Anwar Hossain Manju should not be declared illegal in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election.
Voting Suspended in Pabna-1 and Pabna-2 Constituencies
Due to a court order related to boundary complications, the Election Commission has directed the suspension of voting in two constituencies of Pabna.
Where Are Women in the Election Battle? Have Parties Honored Their Commitments?
As part of the interim government’s initiative for state reform to bring the country back to a democratic path, it was stated that in the 13th parliamentary election, political parties would nominate at least 5 percent women candidates in the existing 300 parliamentary constituencies. Have the parties complied with this commitment?
TIB Calls for Cancellation of ‘Discriminatory’ Decision to Bear Foreign Observers’ Expenses
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has demanded the cancellation of the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to bear the accommodation and food expenses of foreign observers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election. The organization stated that the decision is imprudent, discriminatory, and creates a conflict of interest, which goes against the principles of impartial election observation.