‘Bangladesh polls a well-planned farce’: Sheikh Hasina demands ‘free, fair, and inclusive elections’

Ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday termed the 13th Bangladesh National Parliament Elections a “well-planned farce”, claiming that people of the country rejected “the Awami League–free election”.

In a statement shared by her Awami League on, Hasina said, “According to the Election Commission’s briefing, by 11 a.m. – just three and a half hours into voting – only 14.96% of eligible voters had participated. This extremely low turnout clearly shows that the Awami League–free election was widely rejected by the people.”

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Expressing her gratitude towards the people of the country for “rejecting” the polls, Hasina said that the “so-called election by Yunus, who seized power illegally and unconstitutionally, was essentially a well-planned farce.”

“The people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the Constitution were completely disregarded in this deceptive, voter-less election conducted without the Awami League,” she added.

The former Bangladeshi PM alleged that polling centres were seized, votes were bought by distributing money and the stamping of ballots started a day before the polls.

She further highlighted the alleged targeting of Awami League voters and minority communities, claiming they were intimidated to cast their votes.

Bangladesh Parliamentary Election: Jamaat, BNP neck to neck in early trends; Counting of votes underway

“Even so, despite all threats and harassment, people rejected this fraudulent election, leaving most polling centers effectively empty,” she claimed.

Hasina also flagged “abnormal increases” in voter numbers in voter lists, especially in Dhaka city.

The Awami League leader demanded the cancellation of “this voter-less, illegal, and unconstitutional election” and resignation of “the murderous-fascist” Interim Government Chief Mohammad Yunus.

Hasina said that all political prisoners, including teachers, journalists, and intellectuals, must be released and the suspension on Awami League activities must also be revoked.

She also demanded “free, fair, and inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government to restore the people’s voting rights.”

The high-stakes elections to the Bangladesh National Parliament were held on Thursday. The voting began at 7.30 am and continued till 4.30 PM. The counting of votes began shortly after the voting concluded.

According to officials, Tarique Rahman-led Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance were neck-to neck in early trends.