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Politics

Democracy in Bangladesh, a prisoner of history

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that modern democracy in Bangladesh is a prisoner of this history.
It was an election of the ruling party, by the ruling party and for the ruling party. That is how one can describe the recent general elections in Bangladesh. It was an election of the ruling party, by the ruling party and for the ruling party. That is how one can describe the recent general elections in Bangladesh. More than half of the candidates won the elections without even contesting and the remaining half, in a parliament of 300, romped home with a token fight between friendly parties. <...

Bangladesh election impasse heightens amid geo-political tensions

The political crisis in Bangladesh has only intensified following the farce of the January 5 national election, which was boycotted by Bangladesh National Party (BNP)-led opposition alliance. The result was a foregone conclusion, with the ruling Awami League (AL)-led alliance securing 153 uncontested seats in the 300-seat parliament. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed a new government on January 12, but the political impasse remains. (See: “Sham election deepens Bangladesh political crisis”) Hasina-Khaleda

India-US chasm opens over Bangladesh

The 10th parliamentary election took place in Bangladesh on January 5 amid widespread boycotts, violence, vote rigging and without much fanfare. While the ruling Awami League claimed victory, it is hard to imagine a scenario where this election - where the fate of 154 parliament seats out of 300 were decided before a single vote was cast - could bring stability to this increasingly important country. The Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, came to power in 2008 with a two-thirds majority. While opportunities abounded for the Awami League to start a new era of politics in Bangladesh, it willfully wasted every chance to do so. The Awami League’s fall from grace over ...

Devon MP calls for dialogue, reconciliation in Bangladesh

Tiverton and Honiton MP Neil Parish, who was an election monitor in Bangladesh for the 2008 General Election, has called for political dialogue and reconciliation following widespread election violence in Bangladesh. He was speaking during a backbench business debate on the current situation in Bangladesh held in the House of Commons. [caption id="attachment_2808" align="alignleft" width="300"]Devon MP Neil Parish, right, was an election observer in Bangladesh in 2008[/caption] Mr Parish previously acted as...

Debate on Bangladesh polls in EU Parliament Thursday

The European Parliament (EP) is scheduled to see a debate on recent Bangladesh elections at its debate chamber in Strasbourg, France on Thursday. The debate will focus on fundamental freedoms, human rights and democracy in general in Bangladesh, according to the EP. The EP included the debate on Bangladesh in its agenda following a request from a number of its members (PPE Group). euThey are Cristian Dan Preda, Bernd Posselt, Filip Kaczmarek, Ivo Belet, Tunne Kelam, Elena Băsescu, Monica Luisa Macovei,...

Bangladeshi Aam Admi Party, Kejriwal!

The last general election — virtually without any opposition party taking part in it — and corruption have given rise to the demand for an Aam Admi Party-like entity in Bangladesh. So far, a group of protestors which led the Shahbag movement for secularism and democracy early last year, cyber warriors who supported the Shahbag movement and a retired army officer have made separate moves to create common man’s parties, reports the Hindustantimes. Arvind Kejriwal