The Bangladesh Prime Minister, Mrs. Sheikh Hasina, has won the Bangladesh Prime Ministerial elections. This will be her fifth term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh. She first became the Bangladesh Prime Minister in 1996. For the last fifteen years (three terms – the term of a Prime Minister is five years in Bangladesh), she has consistently been the Prime Minister. This will be her fourth consecutive term and fifth overall.
Elections were held at one go on Sunday, 7th January 2024, by the Bangladesh Election Commission. Two external observers were present to monitor the elections – MP (Member of Parliament) Chandra Arya and Senator Victor Oh – both from Canada.
Mrs. Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has won 75% of all seats (222/298). The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the elections. 28 smaller political parties and 1900 candidates (including independent candidates) contested the elections for the 298 seats in the Parliament.
Voter turnout was 42% in these elections compared to 80% in the 2018 elections.
The Opposition Party has called for an independent administration in Bangladesh before elections can be conducted again.
A quick history of Bangladesh politics
Sheikh Mujibur Rehman was one of the founding fathers of the country when it came into existence in 1971, with Indian military help.
He was the leader of the party called the Awami League (the league of the people).
In 1975, there was a military coup. The leadership of the country was taken over by General Zia-ur-Rahman. In 1981, there was a second coup and LG Hussain Muhammad Ershad took control from 1982-1990.
In 1990-1, there was a citizen protest and in February 1992, civil elections took place. The two main contenders were Begum Khalida Zia – the widow of General Zia ur-Rahman, and Begum Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Since then, Bangladesh has been a parliamentary democracy.