On Saturday, Bangladesh's Chief Election Commissioner, Kazi Habibul Awal, acknowledged that the upcoming general election scheduled for Sunday lacked completeness as a major opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khalida Zia, chose to boycott the January 7 election amid ongoing violence. The BNP has additionally declared a 48-hour nationwide strike against what they term an "illegal government." Despite the absence of a key opposition party, Awal asserted that his office has taken all necessary measures to ensure constitutional continuity.
The BNP is advocating for an interim non-party neutral government to oversee the election, a demand rejected by the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who also chairs the ruling Awami League. Awal, in a televised address, remarked that the universality of the election did not meet expected levels, citing disputes over institutional arrangements. However, he emphasized that the election could not be labeled "non-participatory or uncompetitive," as 28 political parties and 1,971 candidates were contesting in 299 out of 300 parliamentary constituencies.
Violence in the lead-up to the elections has resulted in at least 15 deaths since October 28, 2023, with instances of trains, buses, and trucks being torched. Awal expressed concern over acts of sabotage and violence, urging the people to cast their votes despite worries, concerns, and unease.
The Chief Election Commissioner revealed that over eight lakh law enforcement personnel, including Army troops, were deployed to maintain peace, and 3,000 executive and judicial magistrates were engaged to ensure the smooth conduct of the elections. Despite more than 119 million registered voters, a perceived lack of competitiveness has contributed to voter disinterest in exercising their franchise.
