Polls Close in First Election Since Gen Z Protests Ousted Bangladesh Leader
Votes are being counted in Bangladesh after a significant election that marks the first since student-led protests ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. This election is particularly notable as it reflects the political landscape reshaped by the influence of Gen Z.
– Over 2,000 candidates are competing for 350 parliamentary seats.
– The Awami League, previously led by Hasina, is banned from participating, leaving a power vacuum after her 15-year rule ended amid a brutal crackdown resulting in hundreds of protesters’ deaths.
– The main contenders are:
– The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a center-right party.
– A coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami, which has joined forces with a party emerging from the recent student uprising.
A Hopeful Shift Towards Democracy
As results are anticipated on Friday, there’s a palpable sense of optimism among voters for a potential return to democratic governance. For the first time since 2008, the election’s outcome is uncertain. Previous elections were widely criticized for being systematically rigged in favor of Hasina. She has now been convicted and sentenced to death in absentia for her role in the fatal crackdown on protesters, which the UN estimates resulted in up to 1,400 deaths.
Hasina currently resides in exile in India, dismissing the charges against her and questioning the election’s legitimacy. The exclusion of her party looms over the election’s credibility, yet many voters express a renewed sense of choice.
– More than 120 million people are eligible to vote, with nearly 40% of them under the age of 37.
– Voters are also participating in a referendum on proposed constitutional changes aimed at addressing the completely broken political system as labeled by the interim government following Hasina’s departure.
Interim leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus expressed hope after voting, stating that the nation has ended the nightmare and begun a new dream. By 14:00 local time (08:00 GMT), voter turnout was reported at 49%, with nearly a million police and soldiers deployed to safeguard the process.
Leading Candidates and Their Platforms
In the capital Dhaka, Yunus cast his ballot alongside the two leading candidates:
– Tarique Rahman (60, BNP) – He is the son of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, and is considered a product of dynastic politics, which many reformers seek to change. Rahman, who lived in London during Hasina’s tenure, expressed confidence in the election’s outcome, emphasizing his commitment to economic and democratic reforms aimed at uniting the nation.
– Shafiqur Rahman (67, Jamaat) – A former political prisoner, Rahman has organized a grassroots campaign focused on justice and anti-corruption. Notably, Jamaat has modernized its image but faces challenges regarding gender representation, with the party fielding over 200 male candidates and only allowing two female candidates from the National Citizen Party (NCP) to run.
What Lies Ahead for Bangladesh?
This election is a critical juncture for Bangladesh’s future, signaling a potential shift in its political dynamics after years of dominance by the Awami League. As the counting begins, the hopes of a new generation and the resilience of a yearning populace combine to shape a new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The influence of Gen Z protests has set the stage for a reimagined democracy, though challenges remain.