Sheikh Hasina Returns to Power Third Time In a Row in Bangladesh
PM Modi telephoned Hasina to convey his ‘heartiest congratulations’ on the decisive results.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) has won a record fourth term in general elections, AFP reported quoting local reports.
Voting for electing Bangladesh’s next government began at 8 am on Sunday, 30 December morning. The elections were marred by heavy violence (with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence) and claims of manipulation.
The polls – the 11th since Bangladesh won independence from Pakistan in 1971 – pit 71-year-old Hasina against a united Opposition put together by former Foreign Minister Kamal Hossain.
Notably absent from the action is former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Hasina's archrival and the head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who is currently in jail.
- The elections were marred by heavy violence, with at least 17 people killed in poll-related violence.
- The contest was between the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) led by PM Sheikh Hasina and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
- BNP chief and ex-PM Khaleda Zia, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges, has been barred from contesting the polls
Mamata Extends Greetings to PM Hasina Post Victory
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday, 31 December, congratulated Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on winning a new term with a landslide victory in the country's general elections.
"Heartiest congratulations to Sheikh Hasina on the victory in the Bangladesh general election," Banerjee said in a tweet.
(Source: IANS)
Hasina Thanks PM Modi for Being 'First Leader to Call' Post Results
Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina thanked her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Monday, 31 December, for being the ‘first leader to call her’ to convey congratulations post the general election results.
She also thanked India for consistent and generous support which has benefited Bangladesh’s development, and appreciated the PM’s reiteration of this commitment.
(Source: ANI)
PM Modi Congratulates Sheikh Hasina Post Her Landslide Win
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, 31 December, telephoned Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to convey his ‘heartiest congratulations’ on the decisive results of the Bangladesh’s general election.
Modi expressed confidence that the partnership between India and Bangladesh will continue to flourish under her far-sighted leadership.
The PM also reiterated the priority India attaches to Bangladesh as a neighbour, a close partner for regional development, security and cooperation, and a central pillar in India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.
'Hearty Congratulations': BJP's Ram Madhav to Sheikh Hasina
BJP’s national general secretary Ram Madhav on Monday, 31 December, congratulated Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Khadir and his team for their win in the country’s general elections.
Election Official Confirms Bangladesh's Ruling Alliance Won Vote
An election official said that Bangladesh's ruling alliance led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won Sunday's election with 288 seats giving it enough to form the government.
Election Commission Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed finished delivering the results of the voting early on Monday, 31 December.
Ahmed said the ruling Awami League-led alliance won 288 seats while Jatiya Party led by former president HM Ershad had 20 seats.
(Source: AP)
Seven Journalists Assaulted on Election Day
According to a report in AFP, seven journalists were assaulted during polls in Bangladesh amid allegations of a media crackdown.
Elections Won by PM Sheik Hasina's Party: Local Reports
Quoting local TV reports, news agency AFP reported that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party has won the Bangladesh elections.
Bangladesh Opposition Alliance Rejects Polls, Demands Fresh Vote
Facing imminent defeat, Bangladesh's Opposition NUF alliance, with jailed ex-premier Khaleda Zia's BNP as its key partner, rejected the outcome of the general election and demanded fresh polls under a neutral caretaker government.
The National Unity Front (NUF) is a coalition of parties including the main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD, Nagorik Oikya and Krishak Sramik Janata League.
(Source: PTI)
At Least 17 Killed, Dozens Injured
Voting in the tense election ended with at least 17 people, including a member of a security agency, killed in eight districts in poll-related violence.
(Source: PTI)
13 Dead in Poll-Related Violence, Including One Candidate
Atleast 13 people have been killed in the Bangladesh elections on Sunday, reported PTI. According to the Election Commission, 1,848 candidates are contesting for 299 out of 300 Parliament seats. The polls were being held at 40,183 polling stations and voting was suspended in one seat due to the death of a candidate.
"The eight-hour long voting has ended as per schedule...preparedness are underway to start the counting," an Election Commission spokesman said.
The unofficial results were expected by Monday morning, which would be announced by the commission headquarters in the capital, he said.
Bangladesh Sees First Use of EVMs in General Election
Bangladesh on Sunday deployed electronic voting machines for the first time in a general election, though only on a limited scale, a move which received mixed responses from the voters amid reports of glitches in some booths.
Out of the 299 parliamentary constituencies that went to polls, six saw the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs).
The six seats comprises over 2.1 million voters. The results from these six seats could be announced within hours after the voting ends, Bangladeshi media reported.
Voting Ends, Results Expected Within 24 Hours
Voting in a tense election to choose a new government in Bangladesh ended on Sunday, 30 December, at 4 pm. At least 11 people have been killed in poll-related violence amid allegations of manipulations by the ruling Awami League led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The voting started at 8 AM (local time) and ended at 4 PM. The results will be announced within 24 hours, reported PTI.
10 Killed in Poll-Related Violence, Including Law Enforcement Official
At least 10 people, including a law enforcement official have lost their lives in poll-related violence in Bangladesh, reported ANI on Sunday, 30 December. Dozens have been wounded in the clashes as well.
A Jubo League leader was killed and 10 others injured in a clash between the ruling party and Opposition BNP supporters in Rangamati's Kawkhali, Bdnews24 reported.
According to the Daily Star newspaper, BNP men attacked and killed an Awami League supporter in Mohonpur, Rajshahi-3. One Oikyafront supporter was killed in Chandina in police firing.
One Awami League supporter was killed during a clash with the BNP workers at Baghail Government Primary Schoo, under Bogura-4.
A member of law enforcement agency was killed by activists of Jamaat in Noakhali-3 constituency, reported PTI.
5 Killed in Poll-related Violence
At least five people were killed in poll-related violence on Sunday, 30 December, as voting was underway across Bangladesh amid allegations from both the ruling Awami League and Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of attacks on supporters and candidates.
Voting began at 8 am (local time) with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina appearing as the first voter in Dhaka centre from where her nephew and party candidate Fazle Nur Taposh was a contender.
(Source: PTI)
Confident About Election Victory: Sheikh Hasina
Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina has said that she is confident about winning the 11th parliamentary election.
In her reactions after casting vote at the Dhaka City College centre on Sunday morning, Hasina said: "The boat (her party symbol) will win."
"I believe the people of the country will vote for the boat to help us continue the development journey. Pro-liberation forces will clinch the victory," bdnews24.com quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
"Certainly confident," said Hasina responding to a question from the media.
The reporters also asked her if she would accept any outcome of the election. "Obviously we'll accept it."
One Killed, 10 Injured in a Clash
A Jubo League leader was killed and 10 others injured in a clash between the ruling Awami League and Opposition BNP supporters today in Rangamati's Kawkhali in Bangladesh.
The deceased was identified as Md Basir Uddin, the Jubo League general secretary of Ghagra Union, Bdnews24 reported.
The injured were admitted to Kawkhali Upazila Health Complex, said upazila Awami League General Secretary Ershad Mia.
The Jubo League is the youth wing of the ruling Awami League.
PM Sheikh Hasina Casts Vote
Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina casted her vote in general elections in Dhaka today.
Voting Begins in Bangladesh’s General Election
Voting began in Bangladesh's general election today which is expected to deliver a record fourth term for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Polls opened at 8 am amid tight security following a campaign that was marred by violence and allegations of a government crackdown on Opposition activists.
Bangladesh Intensifies Security As Hasina Seeks Re-Election
Bangladesh stepped up security on Saturday, 29 December, with thousands of army troops patrolling the streets, along with paramilitary forces and police.
Security agencies have been asked to keep extra vigil on religious minority communities during the voting on Sunday, as media reports said at least three Hindu households were set on fire by miscreants between 16 and 26 December, Chief Election Commissioner Nurul Huda said.
Thirteen people have been killed and thousands injured in clashes between supporters of Hasina's ruling Awami League and activists of the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The Opposition parties have alleged that thousands of its leaders and activists have been arrested to weaken them.
Video-making materials, laptops and mobile phones were seized from the detainees, officials said.
Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council spokesman Kajol Debnath said minority community leaders held a series of meetings with the Election Commission and law enforcement agencies who promised to pursue a 'zero tolerance' policy against any attack or intimidation.
(With inputs from PTI and AP)
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