Bangladesh is set to hold its first general election since a political upheaval led to the collapse of the Awami League government, which has been criticized for its authoritarian practices.
In Bangladesh, the first general election following a political upheaval that resulted in the government’s downfall will take place on the 12th. The former ruling party, the Awami League (AL), led by ex-Prime Minister Hasina, has been excluded from the electoral process, raising serious questions about the need for political reform in the country. The AL's authoritarian tendencies and its suppression of anti-government protests have intensified political tensions and raised concerns about stability ahead of the elections.
The political landscape in Bangladesh has shifted significantly since former Prime Minister Hasina fled to India in August 2024 amidst escalating protests. The protests were partly fueled by the government's decision to reinstate a program favoring the hiring of civil servants from families of veterans, which angered the youth. In the wake of the political turmoil, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has stepped in as the head of the interim government, leading the preparations for the upcoming elections amid a backdrop of deepening unrest and rejection of the former ruling party by the electorate.
Hasina, who is the daughter of Bangladesh's first president, led the country from 2009 for 15 years, during which time she fostered the garment industry and achieved significant economic growth rates of around 6-7%. Nonetheless, the youth unemployment rate, particularly among university graduates, has been on the rise, projected to reach 13.5% by 2024. With increasing public dissatisfaction stemming from political oppression and media censorship, the situation in Bangladesh remains precarious, as recent protests have turned more violent with reports of around 1,400 deaths according to UN estimates, highlighting the urgent need for a reformed political system after the elections.
