MELBOURNE, 9 January: The United States and the United Kingdom have issued separate statements on the January 7, Bangladesh elections after the PM Shiekh Hasina led secular Awami League sweeping them. The controversial elections, reports indicate, had only 40 per cent of the electorate voting. It is reported in the last elections it was around 80 percent. The right-wing Bangladesh Nationalist Party-Jammat alliance boycotted the elections, demanding a caretaker government during the elections. BNP leader Khalida Zia is under house arrest on corruption charges.
The BBC reports, ” Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has secured her fourth straight term in a controversial election. Ms Hasina will serve another five years in office after her party the Awami League and its allies won 223 of 300 parliamentary seats contested.”
The West led by the US and UK had expressed doubts about the elections being free and fair. On the other hand, India, China and Russia firmly stood with Shiekh Hasina. In the multipolar world’s interesting scenario India is cosy with the US and Russia, but on the Bangladesh elections it is close to friend Russia and foe China. One does not have to forget India’s Foreign Minister saying we are not anti-West, but non-West.
The Bangladesh economy has been doing well because of its ready made garments exports to Western countries, though some economists have warned of an emerging economic crisis. Wages are low and garment workers have been demanding higher wages and living standards. Undeterred by criticism PM Shiekh Hasina seems to be confident.
Commenting on the election results (posted on the Awami League website) before the local and foreign media, PM Shiekh Hasina said, ” We showed that elections can be fair and unbiased. We hope to form the government. Starting in 2026, Bangladesh will begin its path as a developing nation. As a developing country, there are some challenges and some benefits as well.”
“I have contested in elections eight times. I have never seen such interest among people as I have seen in this election,” she added.
“No single person in Bangladesh will remain extremely poor, that is our goal. By 2041, Bangladesh will be a Smart Bangladesh,” she said.
She further added: “The development of my people and country is my main goal. The economic progress and ensuring people’s better life are my main targets.”
“I always receive support from our friendly countries, and I am grateful to them,” she added.
Her fair election claim has not been accepted by the US and UK. In a statement the US says, ” The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated.” (Full US Statement)
The UK statement says, “Democratic elections depend on credible, open, and fair competition. Respect for human rights, rule of law and due process are essential elements of the democratic process. These standards were not consistently met during the election period. We are concerned at the significant number of arrests of opposition party members before polling day.” (Full UK Statement)
What happens next is not difficult to guess. With emerging strong economy claim and support from India, China and Russia, PM Shiekh Hasina’s smooth sailing looks possible, though economic challenges are unpredictable. It does not look the West will ostracise Shiekh Hasina’s Bangladesh, supplying them cheap-labour fuelled garments. After all, China is the biggest exporter of garments in the world. Whether this is a win win situation for her, remains to be seen.
