Sheikh Hasina Calls Bangladesh Election a ‘Sham’, Demands Cancellation and Yunus’ Resignation

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the country’s most recent national election, labeling it a “sham” and demanding its immediate cancellation. In a sharply worded statement, Hasina alleged widespread irregularities, unusually low voter turnout, and unconstitutional conduct in the electoral process.

Describing the polls as illegitimate, Hasina accused Muhammad Yunus of orchestrating what she termed a “voterless and illegal election.” She further called for Yunus’ resignation, claiming that he had assumed power through unlawful and unconstitutional means.

Call for Fresh Elections Under Neutral Caretaker Government

In her statement issued following the election, Hasina outlined a series of demands. These included the cancellation of what she described as a “voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election,” the resignation of Yunus, and the withdrawal of what she called false cases against political leaders and activists.

She also demanded the release of political prisoners, including teachers, journalists, intellectuals, and professionals, and the removal of restrictions placed on the activities of the Awami League. Hasina emphasized the need for restoring what she described as the people’s voting rights through the organization of a “free, fair, and inclusive election under a neutral caretaker government.”

Allegations of Unconstitutional Power Seizure

Accusing Yunus of seizing authority unlawfully, Hasina congratulated what she called “the masses at all levels, including mothers, sisters, and minority communities,” for resisting what she described as a fraudulent electoral exercise.

“Yunus, who seized power through unlawful and unconstitutional means, organized today’s so-called election, which was essentially a well-planned farce,” Hasina stated. According to her, the election was conducted “without the Awami League and without voters,” ignoring democratic principles and the constitutional framework of Bangladesh.

Claims of Election-Day Irregularities

Hasina alleged that irregularities began on the evening of February 11, ahead of the official polling date. She cited reports of polling station takeovers, incidents of violence including shootings, widespread vote-buying, unauthorized stamping of ballots, and the forced signing of result sheets by polling agents.

According to her statement, these alleged irregularities continued into February 12, with many polling stations across the country reportedly witnessing minimal voter participation. She claimed that several polling centers in the capital, Dhaka, as well as in other regions, were “completely empty of voters” during large parts of the day.

Low Voter Turnout Cited as Evidence

Referencing data from the Election Commission, Hasina pointed out that only 14.96% of registered voters had cast their ballots by 11 a.m., approximately three and a half hours into voting. She argued that this figure reflected a widespread public boycott.

“The public boycotted and rejected this election without the Awami League, as evidenced by the low turnout during the peak voting period,” she stated, asserting that the turnout statistics reinforced her claim of a lack of legitimacy.

Allegations of Intimidation and Fear

Hasina further alleged that in the days leading up to the election, Awami League supporters, voters, and minority communities were subjected to intimidation, arrests, and repeated attacks. She claimed that an atmosphere of fear was created to discourage participation.

Despite what she described as efforts to pressure certain groups into attending polling stations, Hasina maintained that many citizens ultimately chose to boycott the election, leaving numerous voting centers “effectively without voters.”

Questions Raised Over Voter List Integrity

In addition to concerns about turnout and election-day conduct, Hasina also questioned the credibility of the voter list. She claimed that the number of registered voters, particularly in Dhaka, had increased abnormally in a manner she described as “highly questionable and unbelievable.”

These allegations, if substantiated, could raise broader concerns about electoral transparency and administrative oversight in Bangladesh’s democratic process.

Political Uncertainty Ahead

The controversy surrounding the latest Bangladesh election underscores deep political divisions within the country. While authorities have yet to respond in detail to Hasina’s claims, the former prime minister’s statement signals the potential for continued political tension and public debate in the days ahead.

As developments unfold, both domestic stakeholders and international observers will be closely monitoring the situation, particularly any official response to allegations of irregularities and calls for a fresh election under a neutral administration.