Bangladesh PM Hasina set to extend tenure as main opposition boycotts election

Turnout may be lower on Sunday with the vote outcome all but guaranteed and a great risk of violence.

On the day of the election, violence broke out with a passenger train fire that the government referred to as an arson, killing at least four people and setting some polling places and institutions on fire across the nation.

While nearly 800,000 authorities, paramilitary, and authorities auxiliaries will protect voting booths on Sunday, troops have fanned out across Bangladesh and NBP to keep peace.

Hasina, 76, has been credited with revitalizing Bangladesh’s market and the cloth economy during her final 15 years in power. However, she has also been charged with authoritarianism, violations of human rights, restrictions on free speech, and opposition reduction.

Khaleda Zia, her main adversary and two-time top, is currently under house arrest on corruption charges that the opposition claims have been unfounded.

The acting chair of the party is Tarique Rahman, Khaleda’s son, but he is in exile and is being accused of crimes despite his denials.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war raised fuel and food import prices and compelled Bangladesh and the NBP to request a$ 4.7 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund last year, the business has also slowed significantly.