Fears and anxieties may discourage minority communities from voting
Minority communities want to exercise their citizenship rights by voting. However, their fears and concerns regarding life, livelihood, property, and dignity are not subsiding in any way. These fears and concerns may discourage minority communities from voting, said the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.
Sheikh Hasina: Democracy Will Weaken If Free Participation Is Not Ensured in the National Election
From exile, Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and a widely recognized advocate of democratic governance, has expressed deep and serious concerns regarding the upcoming national election following the ban imposed on her political party, the Awami League.
Using religion to seek votes in elections is concerning: ASK
The use of religion in campaigning for the upcoming national parliamentary election, as well as the tendency to seek votes by exerting direct or indirect pressure on citizens who practice other religions, is also a matter of serious concern. In addition, incidents of clashes, violence, provocative statements, and allegations of irregularities among political parties and candidates in various parts of the country have prompted the Law and Arbitration Center (ASK) to express deep concern and anxiety.
While candidates reach voters, diplomats engage power
While candidates campaign among the people, foreign ambassadors remain busy engaging with power centers highlighting the growing gap between voters and external influence in the election process.
Human Rights Under Scrutiny as Bangladesh Heads to National Election
Ahead of the upcoming national election in Bangladesh, the international human rights organization Amnesty International has called for making the protection of human rights the highest priority. In a letter addressed to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard stated that major challenges still remain in ensuring the human rights of all people in Bangladesh.
No ‘Level Playing Field’ in Election Campaigns: Nahid Islam
National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam has raised allegations that there is no “level playing field” in election campaigning, meaning all candidates do not have equal opportunities.
“They Tried to Use Us, We Have Come Out for the Welfare of Islam”: Rezaul Karim
Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Ameer of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, said, “They tried to use us in the name of Islam; we have come out collectively for the welfare of Islam.”
Bangladesh Elections Shadowed by Rising Political Violence
Rising political violence, targeted killings, and street clashes are fueling fear ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary elections, raising concerns over security, voter safety, and the credibility of the first national vote since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
‘No Boat, No Vote’ Call Fuels Election Boycott Debate in Bangladesh
A senior leader of the Bangladesh Awami League has called on supporters to boycott the forthcoming national elections, declaring the polls “illegal” and asserting that the party’s traditional election symbol, the boat, will not be part of the voting process unless fundamental changes are made to the electoral framework.
No Non-Believing MP Can Exist in a Country with 80% Muslims
A speech given by a candidate nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami for the Barguna-2 constituency at an election rally has gone viral on social media. In the speech, he said, “In a country where 80 percent are Muslims, there can be no non-believing or indecent parliamentary representatives.” This remark has sparked intense discussion both locally and online.