Elections, Bangladesh sets date for 7 January
The announcement of the election round in early 2024, however, does not quell political and social tensions in Bangladesh. Since the end of October, 160 cars, party headquarters and police stations have been burnt down, including several deaths
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - It's official: the elections to install the twelfth National Assembly of Bangladesh will take place on 7 January 2024. The last date for submitting documents for parties and movements to the Returning Officer is 30 November, while the symbols on the ballot papers will be assigned on December 18th.
Bangladeshi voters will be asked to express their votes at 300 polling stations located throughout the country. This was announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday evening.
Although there is now a date for the election, the friction between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who promised free and fair elections, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Hasina's arch-enemy, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, does not stop. who says he doesn't trust the government.
The opposition party has held several demonstrations across Bangladesh in recent weeks to call for the appointment of a non-partisan caretaker government for elections, leading to deadly clashes that have heightened fears of instability in the South Asian nation.
The 11th Parliament had started on January 30, 2019 and its term officially ends on January 29 next year. “There can be ideological divisions in the country's multi-party politics. But if differences turn into conflict and violence, the resulting instability can have negative effects on the electoral process.
Solutions are needed. As a representative of the Election Commission, I call on all political parties to avoid conflicts and violence and instead find peaceful solutions,” said Kazi Habibul Awal.
After the Election Commission announced the schedule on Wednesday evening, BNP general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi informed the media that the party rejects the election schedule. Rizvi said that, “ignoring the expectations of Bangladesh, public opinion and the international community, the Election Commission announced the calendar of unilateral elections.
It is impossible for us to believe in free elections under Hasina.” Rizvi concluded by demanding that “Hasina resign and that elections be held under a caretaker, non-partisan government.”
On the other hand, the governing political group, the Awami League - in power for 15 years - has argued that there is no alternative provided by the Constitution to the elections as they have been organised. At a press conference in Dhaka, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that "the election commission will conduct the elections according to the Constitution".
From 28 October to 16 November, due to political tension, at least 160 fires occurred across the country, of which 150 were linked to car fires, the fire brigade and civil protection reported. But political offices and police "cabins" were also targeted. Meanwhile, the international community is pressuring the government to guarantee "free and fair elections".
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