Dhaka, February 12: Voting for parliamentary elections began in Bangladesh on Thursday. The Awami League has appealed to the international community to help prevent the country from descending into chaos, labeling the elections as a mere ‘show.’
The party stated that this ‘calculated attempt’ is not only aimed at sidelining the Awami League but also excludes several political parties that oppose extremist ideologies and advocate for a liberal Bangladesh.
It has been claimed that millions of voters aligned with the Awami League’s political ideology are facing threats to their lives, intimidation, and violence from the government, forcing them to vote against their will. This is seen as a deliberate plot to inflate voter turnout.
In a statement, the Awami League said, “Amidst the atmosphere of these sham elections, the terror of crowds, including lynching and brutal torture, has prevailed. Prisons are filled not only with Awami League supporters but also with journalists, rights activists, and anti-war crime campaigners who have been falsely charged with murder.”
Regarding the condition of minorities after the removal of the Awami League government, the party remarked, “Before this farcical election, millions of minorities are on the brink of extinction. They have been given full impunity to be killed and attacked by being labeled as Awami League supporters. Women, who make up half of the electorate, are awaiting a grim future. They have been excluded from national policy-making under the guise of building democracy, marking a very dark period.”
The Awami League alleged that visuals have surfaced showing attempts by contesting parties to engineer the elections, blatantly disregarding the code of conduct. The party warned that such actions would disrupt the collaborative fabric that distinguishes Bangladesh from other nations.
Criticizing the interim government, the party stated that under the guise of a referendum, the Yunus regime has “wasted government funds and campaigned for votes, indicating a clear intent to manipulate outcomes rather than trust the public’s decision.” The referendum, which seeks to eliminate secularism, is described as a completely unconstitutional act aimed at undermining the constitution established by the blood of millions of war heroes who fought for freedom from the Pakistani occupying army.
The Awami League has urged foreign observers and all international stakeholders to accurately highlight the ‘shortcomings and blatant abuses’ emerging from this election.
It stated, “Justifying this endeavor based on Yunus’s grand claims will plunge the country into long-term instability. Over the past seventeen months, the government has trampled on significant promises, turning the nation into a dangerous place and a safe haven for intolerant organizations.”
Meanwhile, voting is ongoing in Bangladesh. Voting is taking place for 299 parliamentary seats, and counting will commence immediately after the polls close.
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