India’s south-asian neighbor Bangladesh is set to host its first elections since the ouster of its former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. The fresh national elections would be held on Feb. 12, the chief election commissioner of Bangladesh announced on Thursday.
Hasina had famously resigned as the Prime Minister and fled the country amid massive anti-government protests on August 5, 2024. Following her exit, an interim government headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has been running the country since August.
“The upcoming elections would mark the first vote call to take place since Hassina was ousted through a mass uprising following weeks of violence that left hundreds dead and thousands injured,” the commissioner noted in his announcement.
Frontrunners in the political race?
The Yunus-led administration has banned all activities of Hasina’s Awami League party, which means the former ruling party would not be able to join the race.
Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is anticipated to be one of the key frontrunners in the upcoming polls. BNP will be competing alongside the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which has returned to electoral politics after Hasina’s exit.
The National Citizen Party formed by student leaders after the 2024 uprising is seen trailing behind BNP and Jamaat, as it struggles to convert street power into electoral strength.
As per Bangladesh’s local media channels, some of the key issues for voters include restoring democratic rule, reviving export-driven textile trade and general ties with India and tackling corruption.
The country’s last elections were held in January 2024, when Hasina returned to office for the fourth consecutive time. The 2024 elections were controversial and boycotted by major rivals of Hasina who accused her administration of rigging the vote.
Where is Sheikh Hassina now?
Following her resignation, Hasina is reported to be ain a self imposed exile in India. Hasina’s stay has also been a matter of contention between both sides.
Last month, the former Bangladesh leader was sentenced to death for her role in the violent crackdown on student-led protests in 2024 by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
Hasina was booked under the charges of inciting violence and engaging in a criminal conspiracy and for authorising the use of lethal force, including drones and helicopters, against protesters.