Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina labels opposition BNP 'terrorist organisation' as party boycotts polls

As Bangladesh conducted its general elections on Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took a strong stance against the boycotting opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former PM Khalida Zia. Prime Minister Hasina, who is seeking a fifth term, remarked that the BNP is a "terrorist organization" after casting her vote at City College in Dhaka.

Emphasizing the significance of democracy for the country's development, she expressed her commitment to ensuring democratic continuity and underscored Bangladesh's achievements under a democratic system since 2009.

The BNP opted to boycott the elections, alleging they would neither be free nor fair, and called for a 48-hour nationwide strike to demand the resignation of what they deemed Hasina's "illegal government." With the main opposition absent in the 12th general assembly election, Hasina is anticipated to secure a fourth straight term.

The polls witnessed 119.6 million registered voters across 42,000 polling stations, with 299 out of 300 constituencies participating. Over 1,500 candidates from 27 political parties, along with 436 independent candidates, contested in the election, with women constituting almost half of the eligible voters, including approximately 15 million first-time voters.