Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina Demands Election Cancellation Amid Low Turnout and Allegations of Manipulation

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday demanded “cancellation of this voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election" while lauding voters for “boycotting and rejecting this election without the Awami League". The voter turnout was recorded below 50% as of 2pm, according to the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. After the polling ended, Hasina issued a statement saying that the number of voters on the voter list, especially in Dhaka, “has increased abnormally, which is highly questionable and unbelievable". “Today’s so-called election organised by Yunus, who took power through illegal and unconstitutional means, was essentially a carefully planned farce. Disregarding the people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the constitution, a deceptive election was arranged without the Awami League and without voters," she said. She further said that the Wednesday’s elections was marred by violence. “From the evening of February 11, this farce began through the capture of polling centers, gunfire, the widespread use of money to buy votes, stamping ballot papers, and taking agents’ signatures on result sheets. From the morning of February 12, voter turnout in most polling centers across the country was extremely low. Many polling stations in the capital and other parts of the country were completely empty of voters," she said. Also Read: ‘There’ll Be A Difference Of Opinion…’: Yunus’s ‘Unity’ Call To Parties After Bangladesh Polls Thursday’s polls were the first since the 2024 student-led “Gen-Z" movement toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, forcing the former prime minister to flee to India. Following mass protests and nationwide unrest, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus banned all Awami League activities. The Bangladesh Election Commission subsequently suspended the party’s registration, preventing it from contesting in the elections. While the Awami League had skipped ballots in the past due to boycotts, this is the first instance where the party was barred by legal and governmental action rather than political choice. Also Read: Who Will Rule Bangladesh Next? Two Rahmans Lead PM Race, Check Other Contenders The former PM in her Wednesday’s statement pointed out that in recent days “there were continuous attacks, arrests, intimidation, and an atmosphere of fear targeting Awami League voters, supporters, well-wishers, and minority communities, in an attempt to forcibly take them to polling stations". “We demand the cancellation of this voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election; the resignation of Yunus; the withdrawal of false cases and the release of all political prisoners as well as teachers, journalists, intellectuals, and professionals; the removal of the suspension imposed on the activities of the Awami League; and the restoration of the people’s voting rights through the arrangement of a free, fair, and inclusive election under a neutral caretaker government," she added.