Bangladesh Witnesses 40% Voter Turnout Despite Opposition Boycott, Vote Counting Underway
Dhaka: On Sunday, Bangladesh experienced a low voter turnout as citizens cast their votes for the general elections, which are expected to result in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina securing a fourth consecutive term, despite sporadic violence and a boycott by the main opposition party, BNP, and its allies.
According to initial estimates, the voter turnout was approximately 40%, although this figure may change after the final count, stated Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal.
An hour before the voting concluded, the election commission reported a voter turnout of 27.15% at 3 p.m. In the 2018 general election, the overall turnout exceeded 80%.
“The voting ended at 4 pm and the counting has started,” confirmed an election commission spokesperson, who also mentioned that the results were expected by early Monday.
While there were some isolated incidents of violence, the voting process remained largely peaceful in 299 of the 300 constituencies. The commission suspended polling in one seat due to the death of a candidate.
In a last-minute development, the Commission canceled the candidature of a ruling Awami League candidate in northeastern Chattogram for “scolding and threatening” a police officer. As a result, two rebel candidates from the ruling party will now compete in the constituency.
The low voter turnout was attributed to the boycott by the ailing jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which urged people to boycott the election, claiming that no election under the current government could be fair and credible.
The usual election-day enthusiasm was notably absent, with only ruling party-backed supporters and election agents present at the election campaign booths.
Voting proceeded without disruption, as there were no long queues, leaving presiding officers with idle time.
Voting was canceled at three centers – one in Narsingdi and two in Narayanganj. Reports indicated that the Election Commission ordered the arrest of Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun’s son on charges of electoral fraud in Narsingdi.
Clashes between supporters of two candidates running for the Chattogram-10 seat resulted in shots being fired, causing injuries to two individuals who were subsequently taken to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
In another incident, two people were injured during a clash between supporters of the Awami League candidate and an independent candidate at a polling center in Jamalpur’s Sharishabari.
Near a voting center in Dhaka’s Hazaribagh, four individuals, including a child, sustained injuries after two crude bombs exploded.
A total of 119.6 million registered voters were eligible to vote at Sunday’s polls, which took place in over 42,000 polling stations, according to the country’s Election Commission.
More than 1,500 candidates from 27 political parties, as well as 436 independent candidates, were contesting in the election.
Over 100 foreign observers, including three from India, monitored the 12th general election, which was conducted under tight security.
Prime Minister Hasina cast her vote at Dhaka City College polling center soon after voting commenced, accompanied by her daughter Saima Wazed.
Having been in power since 2009 and with her Awami League winning the last election in December 2018, Hasina is poised to secure a fourth consecutive term as prime minister and a fifth overall term in this one-sided election.
“Polling in the country is going on very well. I hope all the people will come to vote and establish their rights. Maintain the democratic flow in the country and work for the socio-economic development of people,” expressed Hasina to reporters after casting her vote.
She accused the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-Jamaat-e-Islami alliance of not believing in democracy and blamed them for causing incidents, including arson attacks.
Responding to a question, Hasina referred to India as a “trusted friend” of Bangladesh, expressing gratitude for India’s support during their Liberation War and during the aftermath of the 1975 military coup that claimed the lives of her family members.
When asked about the acceptability of the election while the BNP was boycotting it, Hasina stated that her responsibility was towards the people and she did not care about the acceptance of foreign media or the opinions of the terrorist party.
Hasina’s ruling Awami League (AL) is expected to win the election as the BNP, led by former premier Khaleda Zia, boycotted the polls. Fifteen other political parties also boycotted the election.
Former Election Commissioner Brig Gen (retd) Sakhawat Hussain described Sunday’s polls as unique compared to the previous two elections, pointing out that candidates from the same party were running in the name of independents and dummies, which diminished voter interest.
“This time the election is taking place between candidates from the same party in the name of independents and dummies. As a result, voters are less interested in the polls,” commented Sakhawat.
He added, “So, it is a unique model election … Results of the election are certain; everybody knows who is going to win. The only uncertain thing is who will be in the opposition bench.”
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