Bangladesh election: foregone outcome amid concerns over political violence
Observers expect an uncontested victory for Sheikh Hasina, in power since 2009, after the opposition decided to boycott the poll. Religious minorities, particularly Hindus, have complained about threats, while Christians are throwing their support behind the ruling Awami League.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Bangladeshis will go to the polls this Sunday in what everyone expects to be another victory for Sheikh Hasina, leader of the Awami League, who has governed the country since 2009, after the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), recently announced its intention to boycott the vote.
About 120 million people (out of a population of 170 million) are eligible to vote, including 15 million first-time voters.
In recent months, following a period of strong growth, more and more people have become disgruntled because of economic hardships as well as the prime minister’s move towards authoritarianism.
In October last year, the government violently cracked down on peaceful protests and arrested several BNP members and officials, thus preventing a credible opposition leader from running.
In recent months, the BNP has been calling for a caretaker government to be set up ahead of the poll, a request Prime Minister Hasina has repeatedly rejected.
In the past year, at least 70 people have been killed and 7,000 wounded in incidents of political violence, local media say.
In addition to the boycott, the BNP has announced a “hartal”, a strike from Saturday to Monday, asking its supporters not to show up at work and close their businesses.
The really important number will therefore be voter turnout, while fears are growing about political tensions over the election weekend.
Yesterday, Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), issued a statement, expressing his concern about the growing pressure on religious minorities.
According to the association's monitoring body, several cases of provocative and divisive statements have been made, with some political candidates targeting specific communities.
In particular, Muslim representatives have threatened the Hindu minority, stating that a non-vote will result in negative consequences for the entire community.
The BHBCUC general secretary gave several examples, but one stands out. Supporters of the Awami League candidate in the Jhenaidah-1 parliamentary constituency, Abdul Hai, threatened members of minorities saying that if they did not put a cross on the "boat symbol" – the Awami League logo on the ballot paper – they will be driven from their homes.
Dasgupta stressed that swift and decisive action by the Election Commission and security forces is crucial to prevent violence against minority communities, especially Hindus, once the election results are announced.
Only two Christians are running in these elections, one in Natore and the other in Mymensingh. Neither reported threats against their constituents. Most Christians support the ruling Awami League.
Recently, Home Affairs Minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, who is running in the Dhaka-12 constituency, met with the Christian community in Tejgaon.
Hemanta Corraya, secretary general of the Bangladesh Christian Association, said that Christians will support him at the polls.
“I want to pledge today, representing the Bangladesh Christian Association and the Christian community of Bangladesh, that on 7 January, we, as Christians, will vote for Asaduzzaman Khan,” he said, stressing, however, the need to boost security measures during the election.
In all previous elections, from 2001 to 2018, members of religious minorities suffered persecution by the ruling party.
On 16 November 2001, for example, some 200 Hindu women and girls, aged 8 to 70, were gang-raped by members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Charphaysan Upazila, Bhola district.
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12/04/2007
31/12/2018 16:43
