The scheduled national election in Bangladesh turned violent when thousands of protesters firebombed polling booths across Bangladesh and unleashed a wave of violence in its bid to stop the ruling party from power.
The opposition Bangladesh National Party (BNP), led by Khaleda Ziablamed the ruling Awami League of orchestrating a one-party rule and branded the walkover election as farce.
Reportedly the BNP is trying to enforce a general strike as part of a strategy to wreck the polls. The BNP demanded that a caretaker government should conduct the elections, but Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the demands.
Alarmed by the violence, the European, United States and the Commonwealth have refused to send election observers to Bangladesh for what they considered as flawed elections.
“Around 150 people have been killed since the opposition launched a campaign against the election in October while more than a thousand opposition leaders and activists have been detained in a crackdown denounced by rights groups,” AFP reported.
The ruling Awami League has confined BNP leader Khaleda Zia her home since last week, with riot police and water cannon posted outside her Dhaka residence, according to reports.
The polling booths today witnessed low turnout heavy security because voters preferred to abstain voting fearing violence that has left many dead across Bangladesh.
“Seven people were killed in separate incidents on election day and voting was halted at more than 100 polling stations. More than 130 sites were set ablaze ahead of the vote and fear of violence was expected to keep many voters away, with much of the unrest in rural areas,” Reuters reported.
Authorities suspended voting at 136 centres due to torching of polling booths and snatching of ballot boxes and papers, according to reports.
A poor turnout would give the opposition the chance to question the legitimacy of the parliament elections.
“The turnout is a clear indication that the common people rejected this election and it is almost an election without voters,” a BNP supporter told Reuters.
However, with fewer than half of the 300 parliamentary seats being contested, the ruling Awami League is expected to retain power in Bangladesh.
Reportedly parliamentary elections are being held in 147 out of 300 seats. As many as 153 candidates have already been elected unopposed.
According to Reuters, “The country’s $22 billion garment industry, which accounts for 80 percent of exports, has been disrupted by transportation blockades ahead of the election.”
The bitter, pervasive conflict between the two main parties undermines the poll’s legitimacy and could likely trigger bloodshed and economic stagnation in the impoverished South Asian nation of 160 million.
*Sources linked to within text.