Sheikh Hasina Denounces Bangladesh Elections as 'Disgraceful Chapter'
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued a scathing critique late Friday, responding to the recently concluded general elections in the South Asian nation. In a strongly worded statement, she dismissed the February 12 polls as what she termed a "pre-planned election of deception and farce," further characterizing the event as a "disgraceful chapter" in Bangladesh's historical narrative.
Awami League Absence and Exile Context
Hasina's remarks gain particular significance as her political party, the Awami League, remained entirely absent from the electoral contest. The former prime minister continues to reside in exile in New Delhi, following her removal from power in August 2024 due to security concerns that prompted her departure from Bangladesh.
In her detailed statement, Hasina declared, "On 12 February, the nation witnessed a pre-planned election of deception and farce, one that will be recorded as a disgraceful chapter in Bangladesh's democratic history." She went on to question the fundamental legitimacy of the electoral process, asserting that the results failed to reflect genuine "public will" and alleging that the entire exercise represented what she described as an industrial-scale administrative effort to manipulate numerical outcomes.
Detailed Statistical Allegations
Providing specific figures to substantiate her claims, Hasina presented a detailed analysis of the voting process. "The total number of registered voters in this election was 127,711,793," she stated. "Voting commenced at 7:30 a.m. and continued until 4:30 p.m. Serious irregularities were observed, both in the conduct of voting and in the turnout percentages released in stages by the Election Commission, many of which appeared inconsistent and unrealistic."
She elaborated further, "According to the Commission's first briefing, by 11:00 a.m.—the first 3 hours and 30 minutes—14.96% of votes had been cast, equivalent to 19,105,684 ballots. That would mean an average of 90,979 votes per minute..." This statistical breakdown formed the cornerstone of her argument regarding what she perceived as implausible voting patterns.
Political Landscape and BNP Victory
The electoral landscape was notably altered by the death of Hasina's arch-rival, former Prime Minister and BNP supremo Khaleda Zia, who passed away weeks before the elections. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), now under the leadership of her son Tarique Rahman, secured a commanding majority in the polls, winning approximately two-thirds of the total parliamentary seats.
Diplomatic Implications and Extradition Calls
The BNP's return to power following the country's first general election since the 2024 political uprising has reignited calls from Dhaka for Hasina's extradition from India. This development presents a complex diplomatic challenge for New Delhi, which must navigate delicate international relations while addressing domestic political pressures.
Following the BNP's sweeping electoral victory, senior party leader Salahuddin Ahmed indicated that the incoming government would take concrete steps to secure Hasina's return to Bangladesh to face legal proceedings. This announcement adds another layer of complexity to the already tense political situation, potentially straining bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India while keeping the former prime minister's legal status in international focus.
