2014 Bangladeshi general election: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Election held in Bangladesh in 2014}} |
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{{Infobox Election |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} |
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| election_name = Bangladeshi general election, 2014 |
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{{Infobox election |
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| country = Bangladesh |
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| country = Bangladesh |
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| type = parliamentary |
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| type = parliamentary |
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| ongoing = no |
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| previous_election |
| previous_election = 2008 Bangladeshi general election |
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| previous_year |
| previous_year = 2008 |
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| next_election = 2018 Bangladeshi general election |
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| previous_MPs = |
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| next_year = 2018 |
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| next_election = Bangladeshi general election, 2018 |
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| election_date = 5 January 2014 |
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| next_MPs = |
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| seats_for_election = 300 of the 350 seats in the [[Jatiya Sangsad]] |
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| next_year = 2018 |
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| majority_seats = 151 |
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| election_date = 5 January 2014 |
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| turnout = 39.58% ({{decrease}} 47.55pp) |
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| seats_for_election = All 300 seats in the [[Jatiya Sangsad]]<br /><small>151 seats are needed for a majority</small> |
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| image1 = Sheikh Hasina - 2009.jpg |
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| image1_size = 180x180px |
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| leader1 = [[Sheikh Hasina]] |
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| leader_since1 = 1981 |
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| party1 = Bangladesh Awami League |
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| leaders_seat1 = [[Gopalganj-3]] |
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| last_election1 = 230 seats |
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| seats1 = 234 seats |
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| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 4 |
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| popular_vote1 = 36,173,883 |
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| percentage1 = 79.14% |
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| swing1 = |
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| image2 = Rowshan Ershad SAARC in Dhaka 1986.jpg |
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| image2_size = 180x180px |
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| leader2 = [[Rowshan Ershad]] |
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| leader_since2 = 2013 |
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| party2 = [[Jatiya Party (Ershad)|Jatiya Party]] |
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| color2 = F6F600 |
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| leaders_seat2 = [[Mymensingh-4]] |
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| last_election2 = 27 seats |
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| seats2 = 34 seats |
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| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 7 |
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| popular_vote2 = 5,167,698 |
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| percentage2 = 11.31% |
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| image3 = Begum Zia Book-opening Ceremony, 1 Mar, 2010.jpg |
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| image3_size = 120px |
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| leader3 = [[Khaleda Zia]] |
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| leader_since3 = 1984 |
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| party3 = Bangladesh Nationalist Party |
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| leaders_seat3 = ''did not contest'' |
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| last_election3 = 30 seats |
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| seats3 = boycotted |
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| seat_change3 = {{decrease}}30 |
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| percentage3 = 0% |
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| swing3 = {{decrease}}33.2% |
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| map_image = |
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| map_size = |
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| map_caption = |
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| title = [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime Minister]] |
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| posttitle = Subsequent Prime Minister |
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| before_election = [[Sheikh Hasina]] |
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| before_party = Bangladesh Awami League |
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| after_election = [[Sheikh Hasina]] |
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| after_party = Bangladesh Awami League |
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| map = [[File:Bangladesch Parlamentswahl 2014 Karte.svg|300px]] |
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}} |
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{{Politics of Bangladesh}} |
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| image1 = Sheikh Hasina at EC Headquarters in 2010 (5) (cropped).jpg |
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'''General elections''' were held in [[Bangladesh]] on 5 January 2014, in accordance with the [[Constitution of Bangladesh|constitutional requirement]] that the election must take place within the 90-day period before the expiration of the term of the [[Jatiya Sangshad]] on 24 January 2014. The elections were controversial, with almost all major opposition parties [[Election boycott|boycotting]] and 153 of the total 300 seats being uncontested. Around 21 people were killed on election day.<ref name="aljaz2"/> |
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| leader1 = [[Sheikh Hasina]] |
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| party1 = Awami League |
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| last_election1 = 48.04%, 230 seats |
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| seats1 = '''234''' |
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| seat_change1 = {{increase}} 4 |
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| popular_vote1 = '''12,357,374''' |
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| percentage1 = '''72.14%''' |
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| swing1 = {{increase}} 24.10[[Percentage point|pp]] |
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| image2 = Rowshan Ershad.png |
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The elections were preceded by government crackdown on the opposition and BNP and Opposition leader Khaleda Zia was put under house arrest.<ref name=HouseArrest/> There were also widespread arrests of opposition members, violence and strikes by the opposition, attacks on religious minorities, and extrajudicial killings by the government.<ref name=HRW/> |
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| leader2 = [[Rowshan Ershad]] |
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| party2 = Jatiya Party (Ershad) |
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| last_election2 = 7.04%, 27 seats |
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| seats2 = 34 |
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| seat_change2 = {{increase}} 7 |
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| popular_vote2 = 1,199,727 |
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| percentage2 = 7.00% |
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| swing2 = {{decrease}} 0.04[[Percentage point|pp]] |
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| map_image = Bangladesch Parlamentswahl 2014 Karte.svg |
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The elections were criticized by the [[United States]], [[United Kingdom]], [[European Union]] and the [[United Nations]].<ref name=credible>{{cite news|title=Violent Bangladesh poll 'not credible'|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/01/violent-bangladesh-poll-not-credible-201417153340105129.html}}</ref> |
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| map_caption = Results by constituency |
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| title = [[Prime Minister of Bangladesh|Prime minister]] |
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== Background == |
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| posttitle = [[prime minister]] after election |
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Throughout most of 2013, [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] and its alliance of 18 opposition parties led by three-time former [[Prime Minister]] and [[Opposition Leader]] [[Khaleda Zia]] called more than 85 days of nationwide general strikes and blockades that brought the entire country to a grinding halt. The opposition demanded that the ruling [[Awami League]] party led by the current Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] amend the constitution, dissolve the parliament after their full five-year term ended on 24 January 2014, and then hand over power to a [[non-partisan]] [[interim government]] or a [[caretaker government]] that would be run by [[technocrats]] for 90 days. The job of a [[Caretaker Government of Bangladesh]] would then be to work in tandem with the [[Bangladesh Election Commission]] by helping them to organise, arrange, and oversee the general election held on 5 January and transfer power to a newly elected government. As most of the demands were not met within the stipulated time frame, all opposition parties boycotted the polls.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-10-04 |title=Bangladesh paralysed by opposition strike |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/201352653414218728.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera English |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> Hasina had offered an all party interim election cabinet government which would include opposition parties till the election but this was rejected by Zia.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-10-18 |title=Bangladesh PM Hasina proposes all-party election cabinet |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24583020 |work=BBC News |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PM calls on BNP to name reps to poll-time cabinet |url=http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-10-19&nid=69557 |newspaper=New Age |location=Dhaka |date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106031905/http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-10-19&nid=69557 |archive-date=2014-01-06 |access-date=2013-12-27}}</ref> |
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| before_election = [[Sheikh Hasina]] |
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| before_party = Awami League |
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| after_election = [[Sheikh Hasina]] |
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| after_party = Awami League |
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}}{{Politics of Bangladesh}} |
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General elections were held in [[Bangladesh]] on 5 January 2014, in accordance with the [[Constitution of Bangladesh|constitutional requirement]] that elections must take place within the 90-day period before the expiration of the term of the [[Jatiya Sangshad]] on 24 January 2014. |
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The elections were not free and fair.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Riaz |first=Ali |date=2020-09-21 |title=The pathway of democratic backsliding in Bangladesh |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2020.1818069 |journal=Democratization |volume=28 |pages=179–197 |doi=10.1080/13510347.2020.1818069 |s2cid=224958514 |issn=1351-0347}}</ref> They were preceded by a government crackdown on the opposition, with [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] and opposition leader [[Khaleda Zia]] put under house arrest.<ref name=HouseArrest/> There were widespread arrests of other opposition members, violence and strikes by the opposition, attacks on religious minorities, and extrajudicial killings by the government,<ref name=HRW/> with around 21 people killed on election day.<ref name="aljaz2"/> Almost all major opposition parties [[Election boycott|boycotted]] the elections, resulting in 153 of the 300 directly elected seats being uncontested and the incumbent [[Awami League]]-led Grand Alliance of Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] winning a landslide majority. Hasina became the first prime minister in the [[history of Bangladesh]] to be re-elected to serve a second term. |
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The elections were criticized by the United States, United Kingdom, [[European Union]] and the United Nations.<ref name="credible">{{cite news |title=Violent Bangladesh poll 'not credible' |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/01/violent-bangladesh-poll-not-credible-201417153340105129.html|work=Al Jazeera|first=Syed Tashfin|last=Chowdhury|date=7 January 2014|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> 176 global leaders including [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Barack Obama]], [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Joseph Stiglitz]], issued a letter that claimed the election "lacked legitimacy".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-28 |title=Over 100 Nobel laureates call on PM to suspend judicial proceedings against Prof Yunus |url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/possible-jailing-prof-yunus-174-global-leaders-express-alarm-open-letter-pm-690462 |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=The Business Standard |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nazzaro |first=Miranda |date=2023-08-31 |title=Obama, world leaders call on Bangladesh to halt cases against Nobel Peace Prize winner |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4180962-obama-world-leaders-call-on-bangladesh-to-halt-cases-against-nobel-peace-prize-winner/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==Background== |
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During 2013 the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] and its alliance of 18 opposition parties led by former [[prime minister]] and [[Leader of the Opposition (Bangladesh)|Opposition Leader]] [[Khaleda Zia]] called more than 85 days of nationwide general strikes and blockades that brought the entire country to a grinding halt. The opposition demanded that the ruling [[Awami League]] party led by the current prime minister [[Sheikh Hasina]] amend the constitution, dissolve the parliament after their full five-year term ended on 24 January 2014, and then hand over power to a [[non-partisan]] [[interim government]] or a [[caretaker government]] that would be run by [[technocrats]] for 90 days. The job of a [[Caretaker Government of Bangladesh]] would then be to work in tandem with the [[Bangladesh Election Commission]] by helping them to organise, arrange, and oversee the general election held on 5 January and transfer power to a newly elected government. As most of the demands were not met within the stipulated time frame, all opposition parties boycotted the polls.<ref>{{cite news |date=2011-10-04 |title=Bangladesh paralysed by opposition strike |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/201352653414218728.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |access-date=2013-05-29}}</ref> Hasina had offered an all party interim election cabinet government which would include opposition parties till the election but this was rejected by Zia.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-10-18 |title=Bangladesh PM Hasina proposes all-party election cabinet |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24583020 |work=BBC News |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=PM calls on BNP to name reps to poll-time cabinet |url=http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-10-19&nid=69557 |newspaper=New Age |location=Dhaka |date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106031905/http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-10-19&nid=69557 |archive-date=2014-01-06 |access-date=2013-12-27}}</ref> |
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==Date== |
==Date== |
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[[File:Bangladeshi 2014 election ballot paper.jpg|thumb|left|Ballot paper from 2014 election]] |
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Since the ninth parliament's mandate expires on 24 January 2014, according to the [[constitution of Bangladesh]]'s Article 123(2)(a) requires a general election to be held between the dates of 26 October 2013 and 24 January 2014 or rather within 90 days before the expiration of the [[Jatiya Sangshad|Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Hafez Ahmed |title=Polls between Oct 26, 2013 and Jan 24, 2014 |url=http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_07-08-2012_Polls-between-Oct-26,-2013-and-Jan-24,-2014_227_1_1_1_1.html |newspaper=Daily Sun |location=Dhaka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101195220/http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_07-08-2012_Polls-between-Oct-26%2C-2013-and-Jan-24%2C-2014_227_1_1_1_1.html |archive-date=2012-11-01 |access-date=2013-05-29 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> On 25 November 2013, the Bangladesh Election Commission announced that the 10th general election would be held on 5 January 2014.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-11-25 |title=Bangladesh to hold parliamentary elections in January |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25093165 |work=BBC News |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2013-11-26 |title=National election Jan 5 |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=194581:national-election-jan-5&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref> |
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Since the ninth parliament's mandate expires on 24 January 2014, according to the [[constitution of Bangladesh]]'s Article 123(2)(a) requires a general election to be held between 26 October 2013 and 24 January 2014 or rather within 90 days before the expiration of the [[Jatiya Sangshad|Parliament]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Hafez Ahmed |title=Polls between Oct 26, 2013 and Jan 24, 2014 |url=http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_07-08-2012_Polls-between-Oct-26,-2013-and-Jan-24,-2014_227_1_1_1_1.html |newspaper=Daily Sun |location=Dhaka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101195220/http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_07-08-2012_Polls-between-Oct-26%2C-2013-and-Jan-24%2C-2014_227_1_1_1_1.html |archive-date=2012-11-01 |access-date=2013-05-29 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 25 November 2013, the Bangladesh Election Commission announced that the 10th general election would be held on 5 January 2014.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-11-25 |title=Bangladesh to hold parliamentary elections in January |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25093165 |work=BBC News |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2013-11-26 |title=National election Jan 5 |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=194581:national-election-jan-5&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref> |
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==Boycott== |
==Boycott== |
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Following months of protests, strikes and blockades, the 18-party opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party formally announced a boycott of the election citing unfair conditions for the election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh opposition to boycott elections |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/bangladesh-opposition-boycott-elections-2013122900876856.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |
Following months of protests, strikes and blockades, the 18-party opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party formally announced a boycott of the election citing unfair conditions for the election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh opposition to boycott elections |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/bangladesh-opposition-boycott-elections-2013122900876856.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=2 December 2013|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> On 3 December 2013, [[Jatiya Party (Ershad)|Jatiya Party]], led by former president [[Hussain Mohammad Ershad]], also announced its intention to boycott the election. [[European Union]] representatives met BNP leader Khaleda Zia and asked her not to boycott the election and to stop the strikes and shutdowns and instead resort to dialogue with the government.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-12-25 |title=EU envoys urge BNP not to boycott polls |url=http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192414:garment-workers-assoc-rejects-new-wages&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 |newspaper=The Independent |location=Dhaka |access-date=2013-12-25 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227125248/http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192414%3Agarment-workers-assoc-rejects-new-wages&catid=129%3Afrontpage&Itemid=121 |archivedate=2013-12-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2013-11-07 |title=EU tells Khaleda to not boycott polls |url=http://www.bangladeshchronicle.net/index.php/2013/11/eu-tells-khaleda-to-not-boycott-polls/ |newspaper=Bangladesh Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711062252/http://www.bangladeshchronicle.net/index.php/2013/11/eu-tells-khaleda-to-not-boycott-polls/ |archive-date=2015-07-11 |access-date=2013-12-25}}</ref> In a video message, [[Tarique Rahman]], the senior vice-chairman of the BNP called for a boycott of the election saying that "the time has come for all of us to prevent and boycott the 5 January polls. Not for personal interest but for the sake of the country's existence".<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-09-14 |title=Tarique calls for poll boycott |url=http://bdnews24.com/politics/2014/01/04/tarique-calls-for-poll-boycott |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> The opposition had also called for the government to resign so an interim non-partisan administration could lead the country through the election period.<ref name="indept"/> |
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==Protests and violence== |
==Protests and violence== |
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{{See also|2013–2014 Satkhira clashes}} |
{{See also|2013–2014 Satkhira clashes}} |
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On the night of 4 December 2013, Jatiya Party leader H. M. Ershad threatened to kill himself after security forces besieged his home following his decision to boycott the election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ershad threatens suicide |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/bangladesh/245/details/373798/ershad-threatens-suicide |newspaper=Gulf Times}}</ref> On 13 December, he was confined to a military hospital following his arrest from his [[Baridhara]] residence by security forces. According to the [[Rapid Action Battalion|RAB]] commander, Ershad had been taken there at his own request.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ershad led away from home |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/bangladesh/245/details/374609/ershad-led-away-from-home |newspaper=Gulf Times}}</ref> Zia was also put under house arrest since 29 December at her [[Gulshan, Dhaka|Gulshan]] residence.<ref |
On the night of 4 December 2013, Jatiya Party leader H. M. Ershad threatened to kill himself after security forces besieged his home following his decision to boycott the election.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ershad threatens suicide |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/bangladesh/245/details/373798/ershad-threatens-suicide |newspaper=Gulf Times|date=5 December 2013|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> On 13 December, he was confined to a military hospital following his arrest from his [[Baridhara]] residence by security forces. According to the [[Rapid Action Battalion|RAB]] commander, Ershad had been taken there at his own request.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ershad led away from home |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/bangladesh/245/details/374609/ershad-led-away-from-home |newspaper=Gulf Times}}</ref> Zia was also put under house arrest since 29 December at her [[Gulshan, Dhaka|Gulshan]] residence.<ref name=HouseArrest/> The [[Bangladesh Army]] was deployed throughout the country on 26 December on the request of the election commission to maintain law and order. The army would stay on the streets until 9 January 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh: Army deployed ahead of controversial January 5 polls |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangladesh-army-deployed-ahead-of-controversial-january-5-polls/441721-2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131229021205/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangladesh-army-deployed-ahead-of-controversial-january-5-polls/441721-2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-29 |newspaper=IBNLive}}</ref> |
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On 13 December, [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami|Jamaat-e-Islami's]] [[Abdul Quader Mollah]] became the first person to be executed for war crimes relation to the [[Bangladesh Independence War]] resulting in violent protests by the Islamist opposition. Two ruling party activists were hacked to death in [[Kalaroa]], while the Jamaat-e-Islami's activists firebombed train stations and blockaded roads. Another person died in clashes between police and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters in [[Noakhali]], while a driver was killed after the party's activists chased him down. The opposition alliance called for a general strike on Sunday 15 December.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh execution sparks violent protests|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/bangladesh-execution-sparks-violent-protests-201312135743734649.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |
On 13 December, [[Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami|Jamaat-e-Islami's]] [[Abdul Quader Mollah]] became the first person to be executed for war crimes relation to the [[Bangladesh Independence War]] resulting in violent protests by the Islamist opposition. Two ruling party activists were hacked to death in [[Kalaroa]], while the Jamaat-e-Islami's activists firebombed train stations and blockaded roads. Another person died in clashes between police and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters in [[Noakhali]], while a driver was killed after the party's activists chased him down. The opposition alliance called for a general strike on Sunday 15 December.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh execution sparks violent protests |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/bangladesh-execution-sparks-violent-protests-201312135743734649.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=13 December 2013|access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref> |
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On 29 December 2013 the BNP called for a "March for Democracy" towards [[Dhaka]], in defiance of a police ban, to protest against the election. Zia said: "The government is autocratic and illegal. It should step down immediately".<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh activists clash with police at polls protest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25543054 |work=BBC News}}</ref> One person was killed by the police in the centre of Dhaka, while a guard was killed in a blast at a train station.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Some supporters of the ruling Awami League also clashed with opposition activists outside the [[Bangladesh Supreme Court]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite news |title=Awami League cadres attack on Bangladesh Supreme Court with police back up; creates unprecedented mayhem |url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1071186?ref=feeds%2Flatest |work=CNN iReport}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news |title=Protester killed during clashes in Bangladesh |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/protester-killed-during-clashes-bangladesh-2013122984511139648.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |
On 29 December 2013 the BNP called for a "March for Democracy" towards [[Dhaka]], in defiance of a police ban, to protest against the election. Zia said: "The government is autocratic and illegal. It should step down immediately".<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh activists clash with police at polls protest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25543054 |work=BBC News|date=29 December 2013|access-date=11 March 2022}}</ref> One person was killed by the police in the centre of Dhaka, while a guard was killed in a blast at a train station.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Some supporters of the ruling Awami League also clashed with opposition activists outside the [[Bangladesh Supreme Court]].<ref name=autogenerated1 /><ref name=autogenerated3>{{cite news |title=Awami League cadres attack on Bangladesh Supreme Court with police back up; creates unprecedented mayhem |url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1071186?ref=feeds%2Flatest |work=CNN iReport}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite news |title=Protester killed during clashes in Bangladesh |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/protester-killed-during-clashes-bangladesh-2013122984511139648.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=30 December 2013|access-date=12 March 2022}}</ref> The BNP accused the police of barring Zia's car from leaving in order for her to lead the march.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> Thousands of security forces, mainly police, were present to prevent the opposition activists from rallying.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/police-deploy-in-bangladesh-for-opposition-rally/2013/12/29/03bb528e-704c-11e3-a5d0-6f31cd74f760_story.html |title=Police Deploy in Bangladesh for Opposition Rally |newspaper=The Washington Post |agency=Associated Press |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131230054956/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/police-deploy-in-bangladesh-for-opposition-rally/2013/12/29/03bb528e-704c-11e3-a5d0-6f31cd74f760_story.html |archive-date=2013-12-30 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Outside of the Supreme Court, police threw hot and coloured water from water cannons to disperse the protesters.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> Sheikh Hasina, while agreeing with the right of the opposition to protest, said: "You can wage anti-government agitation. But make sure people are not killed by your movement."<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-12-31 |title=Stop killing people: Bangladesh PM Hasina to Khaleda Zia |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/stop-killing-people-bangladesh-pm-hasina-to-khaleda-zia-113123000388_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |location=New Delhi |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2013-12-30 |title=Stop killing people: Sheikh Hasina tells Khaleda Zia |url=http://post.jagran.com/stop-killing-people-sheikh-hasina-tells-khaleda-zia-1388396608 |newspaper=Jagran Post |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref> A train was derailed by opposition activists in [[Gaibandha]] leading to three deaths.<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-12-04 |title=Bangladesh opposition accused of fatal train derailment |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25211962 |work=BBC News |access-date=2013-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2013-11-28 |url=http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/asia/262577/bangladesh-train-derailed-in-protest |title=Bangladesh train derailed in protest |newspaper=The Peninsula Qatar |access-date=2013-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001649/http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/asia/262577/bangladesh-train-derailed-in-protest |archive-date=2013-12-31 |url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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On 30 December, the 18-party opposition alliance announced a non-stop blockade of roads, railways and waterways across the country from 1 January 2014 in order to resist the scheduled election. The decision came after they were barred from holding national demonstrations the previous day. The protest was termed the "March for Democracy."<ref>{{cite news |title=Indefinite blockade in Bangladesh from Jan 1 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/indefinite-blockade-in-bangladesh-from-jan-1-113123100340_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |location=New Delhi}}</ref> A [[general strike]] was called for 4, 5 and 6 January by the opposition parties. |
On 30 December, the 18-party opposition alliance announced a non-stop blockade of roads, railways and waterways across the country from 1 January 2014 in order to resist the scheduled election. The decision came after they were barred from holding national demonstrations the previous day. The protest was termed the "March for Democracy."<ref>{{cite news |title=Indefinite blockade in Bangladesh from Jan 1 |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/indefinite-blockade-in-bangladesh-from-jan-1-113123100340_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |location=New Delhi}}</ref> A [[general strike]] was called for 4, 5 and 6 January by the opposition parties. |
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On 3 and 4 January, opposition activists attacked potential polling centres across Bangladesh. They set fire to over 100 centres in [[Lakshmipur District|Lakshmipur]], [[Rajshahi]], [[Pirojpur]], [[Sylhet]], [[Jhenaidah]], [[Natore]], [[Sirajganj]] and [[Brahmanbaria]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-09-14 |title=More polling centres set on fire |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/04/more-polling-centres-set-on-fire |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh hit by general strike on poll eve |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-hit-general-strike-poll-eve-20141444829489553.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |
On 3 and 4 January, opposition activists attacked potential polling centres across Bangladesh. They set fire to over 100 centres in [[Lakshmipur District|Lakshmipur]], [[Rajshahi]], [[Pirojpur]], [[Sylhet]], [[Jhenaidah]], [[Natore]], [[Sirajganj]] and [[Brahmanbaria]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2013-09-14 |title=More polling centres set on fire |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/04/more-polling-centres-set-on-fire |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh hit by general strike on poll eve |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-hit-general-strike-poll-eve-20141444829489553.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> |
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[[File:National Assembly of Bangladesh (07).jpg|thumb|[[Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban]] (2014)]] |
[[File:National Assembly of Bangladesh (07).jpg|thumb|[[Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban]] (2014)]] |
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At least 18 people died in election day violence after security forces fired on protesters and opposition activists torched over 100 voting centres.<ref name="indept">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh: Ruling Awami League wins election marred by boycott and violence |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladeshs-ruling-awami-league-wins-election-marred-by-boycott-and-violence-9041436.html |newspaper=The Independent |location=London}}</ref> In total 21 people died on the day and about 400 voting centers were disrupted.<ref name="aljaz2"/> BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists also attacked their Awami League counterparts and [[Hinduism in Bangladesh|Hindus]] in eight villages under [[Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila]] leaving 15 people injured and their houses and shops vandalised and looted. Further, a Hindu temple along with idols inside it were also attacked. The attacks spread through eight villages including Jhakua, Jhardanga, Baniyapara and Mondoppara. Hundreds of Hindus from these villages had fled fearing further attacks. On 7 January, two Hindus temples, Radha Gobind Mandir and Kali Mandir, were burnt by people suspected to be BNP party members.<ref name="dsjan9">{{cite news |title=2 temples torched in Bagerhat |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2-temples-torched-in-bagerhat-6155 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=2014-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Attacks on minorities trigger protest, immediate trial of perpetrators demanded |
At least 18 people died in election day violence after security forces fired on protesters and opposition activists torched over 100 voting centres.<ref name="indept">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh: Ruling Awami League wins election marred by boycott and violence |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladeshs-ruling-awami-league-wins-election-marred-by-boycott-and-violence-9041436.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladeshs-ruling-awami-league-wins-election-marred-by-boycott-and-violence-9041436.html |archive-date=2022-05-01 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |location=London|date=6 January 2014|access-date=11 March 2022}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In total 21 people died on the day and about 400 voting centers were disrupted.<ref name="aljaz2"/> BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists also attacked their Awami League counterparts and [[Hinduism in Bangladesh|Hindus]] in eight villages under [[Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila]] leaving 15 people injured and their houses and shops vandalised and looted. Further, a Hindu temple along with idols inside it were also attacked. The attacks spread through eight villages including Jhakua, Jhardanga, Baniyapara and Mondoppara. Hundreds of Hindus from these villages had fled fearing further attacks. On 7 January, two Hindus temples, Radha Gobind Mandir and Kali Mandir, were burnt by people suspected to be BNP party members.<ref name="dsjan9">{{cite news |title=2 temples torched in Bagerhat |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2-temples-torched-in-bagerhat-6155 |newspaper=The Daily Star |date=2014-01-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Attacks on minorities trigger protest, immediate trial of perpetrators demanded |url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2014/jan/11/attacks-minorities-trigger-protest-immediate-trial-perpetrators-demanded |newspaper=Dhaka Tribune |date=2014-01-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=32 BNP, Jamaat men arrested |url=http://www.dhakaherald.com/news/local/32-bnp-jamaat-men-arrested/ |newspaper=Dhaka Herald |date=2011-01-11}}</ref> Fearing rape threats, female members of Hindu families were sent away to their relatives' homes by their families in Abhaynagar of Jessore, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon.<ref name="ds1jan9">{{cite news |title=Hindus send females away: Males stay back at houses damaged by BNP-Jamaat in 4 districts |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/hindus-send-females-away-6012 |newspaper=The Daily Star}}</ref> Attacks also occurred in [[Dinajpur]], [[Rangpur City|Rangpur]], [[Bogra]], [[Lalmonirhat District|Lalmonirhat]], [[Rajshahi]], [[Chittagong]] and [[Jessore District|Jessore]].<ref name="itjan9">{{cite news |title=Hundreds of Hindus attacked in post-poll violence in Bangladesh take shelter in temples |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hindus-attacked-in-post-poll-violence-in-bangladesh/1/334899.html |work=India Today|date=7 January 2014|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
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==Crackdown on the opposition== |
==Crackdown on the opposition== |
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Before the election there were reports of opposition leaders and members being killed and arbitrarily arrested by the police. According to [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[US Department of State]], Bangladesh police arrested "thousands" of opposition members.<ref name=HRW>{{cite web|title=Democracy in the Crossfire|url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/04/29/democracy-crossfire/opposition-violence-and-government-abuses-2014-pre-and-post| |
Before the election there were reports of opposition leaders and members being killed and arbitrarily arrested by the police. According to [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[US Department of State]], Bangladesh police arrested "thousands" of opposition members.<ref name=HRW>{{cite web |title=Democracy in the Crossfire |url=https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/04/29/democracy-crossfire/opposition-violence-and-government-abuses-2014-pre-and-post |website=Human Rights Watch |date=2014-04-29}}</ref> |
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The government also interfered with opposition parties' organization of political events.<ref name=state>{{cite web|title=Bangladesh: 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices|url=https:// |
The government also interfered with opposition parties' organization of political events.<ref name=state>{{cite web |title=Bangladesh: 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2014/sca/236634.htm#section1darbitrary |publisher=[[US Department of State]]}}</ref> In December 2013, police prevented opposition from holding pre-election rallies, citing security reasons. The police also prevented BNP supports from organizing outside the party headquarters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Political Clashes Grow in Bangladesh's Capital |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/world/asia/bangladeshs-political-crisis-grows.html|work=The New York Times|first=Julfikar|last=Ali Manik|first2=Gardiner|last2=Harris|date=30 December 2012|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
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Often opposition leaders were detained shortly after they announced strikes to protest the elections.<ref name=HRW/> In one case, authorities arrested 203 opposition and leaders and activists on |
Often opposition leaders were detained shortly after they announced strikes to protest the elections.<ref name=HRW/> In one case, authorities arrested 203 opposition and leaders and activists on 26 December, immediately after the opposition announced it would be holding a "March for Democracy" on 29 December. By 28 December, one day before the rally, the police had arrested more than thousand BNP and Jamaat members.<ref name=HRW/> Many of these were released in the evening or after the election.<ref name=HRW/> In another case, BNP vice president Hafizuddin Ahmed was arrested immediately after he urged "non-stop demonstrations" until the elections. The police charged him with firebombing a bus in 2013. After the election, he was released.<ref name=HRW/> |
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Khaleda Zia was prevented from leaving her home to attend a rally on |
Khaleda Zia was prevented from leaving her home to attend a rally on 26 December,<ref name=HRW/> and kept under house arrest until the election.<ref name=HouseArrest>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia 'under house arrest' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/10542535/Bangladeshs-former-prime-minister-Khaleda-Zia-under-house-arrest.html|work=The Telegraph|first=David|last=Bergman|first2=Dean|last2=Nelson|date=30 December 2013|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> The government denied Zia was under house arrest. Zia's advisor [[Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury]] and Enam Ahmed Chowdhury were arrested on 29 December.<ref name=HRW/> |
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===Media shutdown=== |
===Media shutdown=== |
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Prior to the election, the government restricted opposition broadcasting.<ref name=state/> In 2013, ruling [[Awami League]] shut down TV stations and detained a prominent newspaper editor. The government said the measure was necessary to curb violence, but opposition saw this as politically motivated.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bangladesh media suffers crackdown|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/2013528153749695207.html}}</ref> |
Prior to the election, the government restricted opposition broadcasting.<ref name=state/> In 2013, ruling [[Awami League]] shut down TV stations and detained a prominent newspaper editor. The government said the measure was necessary to curb violence, but opposition saw this as politically motivated.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh media suffers crackdown |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/2013528153749695207.html|work=Al Jazeera|date=28 May 2013|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
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==Monitors== |
==Monitors== |
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As a result of the boycott, the election commission suggested that the Awami League had already secured victory in 127 of the 153 uncontested seats. Similarly, [[Rowshan Ershad]]'s (wife of H. M. Ershad) Jatiya Party had already won 21 uncontested seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal won three seats, the Workers Party won two seats and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one seat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Single candidate in 154 seats |url=http://www.theguardianbd.com/single-candidate-in-154-seats/ |newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> The E.U., the U.S. and the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] announced that they would not send observers since they were concerned about the credibility of the election due to the boycott.<ref>{{cite news |title=Election monitors to boycott Bangladesh polls |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/12/election-monitors-boycott-bangladesh-polls-2013122712914224624.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |
As a result of the boycott, the election commission suggested that the Awami League had already secured victory in 127 of the 153 uncontested seats. Similarly, [[Rowshan Ershad]]'s (wife of H. M. Ershad) Jatiya Party had already won 21 uncontested seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal won three seats, the Workers Party won two seats and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one seat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Single candidate in 154 seats |url=http://www.theguardianbd.com/single-candidate-in-154-seats/ |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2013-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101113940/http://www.theguardianbd.com/single-candidate-in-154-seats/ |archive-date=2014-01-01 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The E.U., the U.S. and the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] announced that they would not send observers since they were concerned about the credibility of the election due to the boycott.<ref>{{cite news |title=Election monitors to boycott Bangladesh polls |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/12/election-monitors-boycott-bangladesh-polls-2013122712914224624.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref name=NYT /><ref name=WPost>{{cite news |last=Alam |first=Julhas |date=2014-01-05 |title=Violence, low turnout mar elections in Bangladesh |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/violence-low-turnout-mar-elections-in-bangladesh/2014/01/05/9176b932-765b-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2014-05-27}}</ref> |
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==Opinion polls== |
==Opinion polls== |
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The ruling Awami League suffered electoral losses when, according to ''[[The Economist]]'', the opposition BNP "thrashed the League in mayoral elections in June and July, notably in Gazipur in the industrial belt, hitherto one of the League’s safest constituencies"<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Bangladesh's volatile politics: The battling begums |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583297-pendulum-swings-away-sheikh-hasina-and-her-government-battling-begums |magazine=The Economist |date=2013-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811103540/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583297-pendulum-swings-away-sheikh-hasina-and-her-government-battling-begums |archive-date=2013-08-11 | |
The ruling Awami League suffered electoral losses when, according to ''[[The Economist]]'', the opposition BNP "thrashed the League in mayoral elections in June and July, notably in Gazipur in the industrial belt, hitherto one of the League’s safest constituencies"<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Bangladesh's volatile politics: The battling begums |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583297-pendulum-swings-away-sheikh-hasina-and-her-government-battling-begums |magazine=The Economist |date=2013-08-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811103540/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583297-pendulum-swings-away-sheikh-hasina-and-her-government-battling-begums |archive-date=2013-08-11 |url-status=live}}</ref> and polling data showed a plunge in the government's popularity.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Justice and vengeance in Bangladesh: Swing votes |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21586592-election-looms-and-so-does-hangman-swing-votes |magazine=The Economist |date=2013-09-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919185839/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21586592-election-looms-and-so-does-hangman-swing-votes |archive-date=2013-09-19 |url-status=live}}</ref> Similarly, just prior to the election, an opinion poll indicated the incumbent Awami League would lose to the BNP in a direct contest.<ref name="aljaz">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh PM open for talks if unrest ends |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-pm-says-election-win-legitimate-201416113644882630.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera}}</ref> |
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In the weeks following the election, a poll was conducted by [[Democracy International, Inc|Democracy International]] (DI), a US-based organization. They reported that the Awami League did have slightly more support than BNP, but acknowledged that the study's margin of error meant that the results were a [[Margin of error#Comparing percentages|"statistical dead heat"]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-02-04 |title=Awami League will win if elections are held today: poll |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/awami-league-will-win-if-elections-are-held-today-poll-114020300410_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |location=New Delhi |access-date=2014-02-04 |quote=The study, conducted by US-based Democracy International a week after the BNP-boycotted the January 5 polls, found that if the elections were fully participatory, 42.7 per cent people would have voted for the Awami League, while 35.1 per cent would have preferred the BNP.}}</ref> |
In the weeks following the election, a poll was conducted by [[Democracy International, Inc|Democracy International]] (DI), a US-based organization. They reported that the Awami League did have slightly more support than BNP, but acknowledged that the study's margin of error meant that the results were a [[Margin of error#Comparing percentages|"statistical dead heat"]].<ref>{{cite news |date=2014-02-04 |title=Awami League will win if elections are held today: poll |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/awami-league-will-win-if-elections-are-held-today-poll-114020300410_1.html |newspaper=Business Standard |location=New Delhi |access-date=2014-02-04 |quote=The study, conducted by US-based Democracy International a week after the BNP-boycotted the January 5 polls, found that if the elections were fully participatory, 42.7 per cent people would have voted for the Awami League, while 35.1 per cent would have preferred the BNP.}}</ref> |
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==Results== |
==Results== |
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The incumbent [[Bangladesh Awami League]] won the election with a safe majority, winning 234 seats. The election was controversial however as the opposition alliance boycotted the election. |
The incumbent [[Bangladesh Awami League]] won the election with a safe majority, winning 234 seats. The election was controversial however as the opposition alliance boycotted the election. |
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As a result of the boycott, 153 of the 300 seats were uncontested,<ref>[http://archive.ipu.org/parline/reports/2023_E.htm Last elections] IPU</ref> |
As a result of the boycott, 153 of the 300 seats were uncontested,<ref>[http://archive.ipu.org/parline/reports/2023_E.htm Last elections] IPU</ref><ref name="BEC">{{cite web |author=Election Commission Bangladesh| url= http://www.ecs.gov.bd/files/PjkqznV62UnbChDNA47y6iZovaHngtTnP6doAfwz.pdf |year=2015|title= Statistics Report. 10th Jatiya Sangsad Elections (in Bengali)|access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> of which the Awami League won 127 by default, the [[Jatiya Party (Ershad)]] led by [[Rowshan Ershad]] won 20, the JSD won three, the [[Workers Party of Bangladesh|Workers Party]] won two and the [[Jatiya Party (Manju)]] won one.<ref name="bdnews1">{{cite news |date=2013-09-14 |title=Repolls ordered in 8 constituencies |url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/06/re-election-in-8-constituencies |newspaper=bdnews24.com |access-date=2014-01-06 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225043504/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/06/re-election-in-8-constituencies%20 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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Results of 139 seats, out of remaining 147 seats (which were contested), were released, with the |
Results of 139 seats, out of remaining 147 seats (which were contested), were released, with the Awami League winning 105, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) winning 13, the Workers Party winning four, the JSD winning two and the Tarikat Federation and BNF winning one each.<ref name="bdnews1"/> The remaining 8 constituencies election were suspended due to violence and election took place later.<ref name="bdnews1"/> The newly elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January.<ref>{{cite news |title=Newly elected Bangladesh MPs sworn in |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/newly-elected-bangladesh-mps-sworn-20141971236829980.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera|date=9 January 2014|access-date=12 March 2022}}</ref> |
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As a result of the boycott and violence voter turnout was lower than the previous few elections at only |
As a result of the boycott and violence voter turnout was lower than the previous few elections at only 40% in the 147 constituencies where an election took place, and as low as 22% in the capital, Dhaka.<ref name="BEC" /><ref name=NYT>{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=2014-01-05 |title=Low Turnout in Bangladesh Elections Amid Boycott and Violence |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/world/asia/boycott-and-violence-mar-elections-in-bangladesh.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=2014-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Barry |first=Ellen |date=2014-01-06 |title=Bangladesh ruling party wins after boycotted vote |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/world/asia/boycott-and-violence-mar-elections-in-bangladesh.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=2014-01-05}}</ref> |
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<onlyinclude>{{Election results |
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{| class=wikitable style=text-align:right |
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|image=[[File:Jatiya Sangsad 2014.svg]] |
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|- |
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|seattype1=General|seattype2=Reserved|seattype3=Total|seattype4=+/– |
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!colspan=2|Party |
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|party1=[[Awami League]]|votes1=12357374|st1t1=234|st2t1=39|st3t1=273|st4t1= |
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!Votes |
|||
|party2=[[Jatiya Party (Ershad)|Jatiya Party]]|votes2=1199727|st1t2=34|st2t2=6|st3t2=40|st4t2= |
|||
!% |
|||
|party3=[[Workers Party of Bangladesh]]|votes3=359620|st1t3=6|st2t3=1|st3t3=7|st4t3= |
|||
!Seats |
|||
|party4=[[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]]|votes4=203799|st1t4=5|st2t4=1|st3t4=6|st4t4= |
|||
!± |
|||
|party5=[[Bangladesh Tarikat Federation]]|votes5=177449|st1t5=2|st2t5=0|st3t5=2|st4t5= |
|||
|- |
|||
|party6=[[Jatiya Party (Manju)]]|votes6=124389|st1t6=2|st2t6=0|st3t6=2|st4t6= |
|||
|style="background-color:{{Bangladesh Awami League/meta/color}}"| |
|||
|party7=[[Bangladesh Nationalist Front]]|votes7=107990|st1t7=1|st2t7=0|st3t7=1|st4t7= |
|||
|align=left|[[Awami League]]||36,173,883||79.14||234||+1 |
|||
|party8=[[Bangladesh National Awami Party]]|votes8=7120|st1t8=0|st2t8=0|st3t8=0|st4t8= |
|||
|- |
|||
|party9=[[Khelafat Majlish]]|votes9=5725|st1t9=0|st2t9=0|st3t9=0|st4t9= |
|||
|style="background-color:{{Jatiya Party (Ershad)/meta/color}}"| |
|||
|party10=[[Gano Front]]|votes10=2717|st1t10=0|st2t10=0|st3t10=0|st4t10= |
|||
|align=left|[[Jatiya Party (Ershad)]]||5,167,698||11.31||34||+10 |
|||
|party11=[[Bangladesh Islami Front]]|votes11=2585|st1t11=0|st2t11=0|st3t11=0|st4t11= |
|||
|- |
|||
|party12=[[Ganatantri Party]]|votes12=2031|st1t12=0|st2t12=0|st3t12=0|st4t12= |
|||
| style="background:Red;"| |
|||
|party13=Independents|votes13=2579324|st1t13=16|st2t13=3|st3t13=19|st4t13= |
|||
|align=left|[[Workers Party of Bangladesh|Workers Party]]||939,581||2.06||6||+4 |
|||
|total_st4t= |
|||
|- |
|||
|invalid=263037 |
|||
| style="background:#ff9473;"| |
|||
|electorate=43943184 |
|||
|align=left|[[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]]||798,644||1.75||5||+2 |
|||
|source=[http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/en/mps/members-of-parliament/current-mp-s/list-of-10th-parliament-members-english Parliament], [http://www.ecs.gov.bd/files/PjkqznV62UnbChDNA47y6iZovaHngtTnP6doAfwz.pdf Election Commission], [http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/2023_E.htm IPU] |
|||
|- |
|||
}}</onlyinclude> |
|||
| style="background:#e9e9e9;"| |
|||
|align=left|[[Jatiya Party (Manju)]]|| ||0.3||2||+2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="background:#e9e9e9;"| |
|||
|align=left|[[Bangladesh Tarikat Federation]]|| ||0.3||2||+2 |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="background:#e9e9e9;"| |
|||
|align=left|[[Bangladesh Nationalist Front]]|| ||0.3||1||+1 |
|||
|- |
|||
|style="background-color:{{Independent (politics)/meta/color}}"| |
|||
|align=left|Independents|| ||4.7||15||+13 |
|||
|- |
|||
|||align=left|Repoll ordered||–||–||1||– |
|||
|- |
|||
|||align=left|Invalid/blank votes||1,551,585||–||–||– |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="2"|'''Total'''||'''47,262,168'''||'''100'''||'''300'''||'''0''' |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="2"|Registered voters/turnout||92,007,113||51.37||–||– |
|||
|- |
|||
| style="text-align:left;" colspan="6"|Sources: [http://www.parliament.gov.bd/index.php/en/mps/members-of-parliament/current-mp-s/list-of-10th-parliament-members-english Parliament of Bangladesh], [http://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/2436/ IFES] |
|||
|} |
|||
==Reactions== |
==Reactions== |
||
The day after the result, Hasina said that the boycott should "not mean there will be a question of legitimacy. People participated in the poll and other parties participated." However, she also said she offered Zia a role in a new government. "Look, I tried my best, I told you, I offered ministry, I offered to share power with our opposition. I have done as much as I can do but they didn't respond. Now if they realise that they made a mistake in not participating in the election, perhaps then they may come forward to discuss with us or make an offer. If they come forward to discuss with us, they have to leave all these terrorist activities behind because what they are doing it is absolutely killing people, killing police, killing innocent people."<ref name="aljaz"/> Information Minister [[Hasanul Haq Inu]] added that the turnout did not matter: "What is important is that the people defied violence."<ref name="aljaz2">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh ruling party sweeps violent vote |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-vote-201416229528440.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera |
The day after the result, Hasina said that the boycott should "not mean there will be a question of legitimacy. People participated in the poll and other parties participated." However, she also said she offered Zia a role in a new government. "Look, I tried my best, I told you, I offered ministry, I offered to share power with our opposition. I have done as much as I can do but they didn't respond. Now if they realise that they made a mistake in not participating in the election, perhaps then they may come forward to discuss with us or make an offer. If they come forward to discuss with us, they have to leave all these terrorist activities behind because what they are doing it is absolutely killing people, killing police, killing innocent people."<ref name="aljaz"/> Information Minister [[Hasanul Haq Inu]] added that the turnout did not matter: "What is important is that the people defied violence."<ref name="aljaz2">{{cite news |title=Bangladesh ruling party sweeps violent vote |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-vote-201416229528440.html |newspaper=Al Jazeera}}</ref> BNP Vice President Shamsher Chowdhury said that the low turnout indicated a desire for a new election. "This government must declare this election null and void and we need a new election organised by a non-party government. The government should not waste any more time." |
||
===International=== |
===International=== |
||
*{{flag|United Nations}}: UN Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-moon]] lamented that the election was neither peaceful nor inclusive.<ref name=credible/> He criticised both the BNP and the Awami League saying they should "resume meaningful dialogue and to urgently address the expectations of the people of Bangladesh for an inclusive political process."<ref name="aljaz"/> |
*{{flag|United Nations}}: UN Secretary-General [[Ban Ki-moon]] lamented that the election was neither peaceful nor inclusive.<ref name=credible/> He criticised both the BNP and the Awami League saying they should "resume meaningful dialogue and to urgently address the expectations of the people of Bangladesh for an inclusive political process."<ref name="aljaz"/> |
||
*{{flag|United States}}: The |
*{{flag|United States}}: The United States said the election "did not appear to credibly express the will of the Bangladeshi people". |
||
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}: The |
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}: The United Kingdom expressed "disappointment" at the low voter turnout and criticized acts of violence and political harassment that had taken place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/baroness-warsi-comments-on-bangladesh-election-results|title=Baroness Warsi comments on Bangladesh election results|website=gov.uk|date=6 January 2014|access-date=12 March 2022}}</ref> |
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===Media=== |
===Media=== |
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===Aftermath=== |
===Aftermath=== |
||
In the aftermath of the election, violence continued and the government continued the crackdown on the opposition. Police carried out raids and arrested opposition leaders. Other opposition leaders and members went into hiding, citing harassment by authorities.<ref name=raids>{{cite news|title=Bangladesh opposition members go into hiding following violent national election|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/01/09/bangladesh_opposition_members_go_into_hiding_following_violent_national_election.html}}</ref> By |
In the aftermath of the election, violence continued and the government continued the crackdown on the opposition. Police carried out raids and arrested opposition leaders. Other opposition leaders and members went into hiding, citing harassment by authorities.<ref name=raids>{{cite news |title=Bangladesh opposition members go into hiding following violent national election |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/01/09/bangladesh_opposition_members_go_into_hiding_following_violent_national_election.html|work=Toronto Star|date=9 January 2014|first=Julhas|last=Alam|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> By 21 January, the government had arrested 7,015 activists and leaders of opposition, and placed a bounty of 100,000 taka ($1,300) on the heads of other protest leaders.<ref name=7,000>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30917345 |title=Bangladesh arrests 7,000 opposition activists|work=BBC News|date=21 January 2015|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> Many of the protesters had destroyed vehicles and blockaded roads, and 29 people had died in the unrest.<ref name=7,000/> |
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This led to the [[2015 Bangladeshi political crisis]]. |
This led to the [[2015 Bangladeshi political crisis]]. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist |
{{reflist}} |
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{{Bangladeshi elections}} |
{{Bangladeshi elections}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:2014 elections in Bangladesh|General]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:General elections in Bangladesh]] |
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[[Category:2014 elections in Asia]] |
[[Category:2014 elections in Asia|Bangladesh]] |
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[[Category:January 2014 events in Bangladesh|Bangladesh]] |
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[[Category:Premiership of Sheikh Hasina]] |
Latest revision as of 05:44, 27 November 2024
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300 of the 350 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad 151 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Turnout | 39.58% ( 47.55pp) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This article is part of a series on the |
Politics of Bangladesh |
---|
Bangladesh portal |
General elections were held in Bangladesh on 5 January 2014, in accordance with the constitutional requirement that elections must take place within the 90-day period before the expiration of the term of the Jatiya Sangshad on 24 January 2014.
The elections were not free and fair.[1] They were preceded by a government crackdown on the opposition, with Bangladesh Nationalist Party and opposition leader Khaleda Zia put under house arrest.[2] There were widespread arrests of other opposition members, violence and strikes by the opposition, attacks on religious minorities, and extrajudicial killings by the government,[3] with around 21 people killed on election day.[4] Almost all major opposition parties boycotted the elections, resulting in 153 of the 300 directly elected seats being uncontested and the incumbent Awami League-led Grand Alliance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina winning a landslide majority. Hasina became the first prime minister in the history of Bangladesh to be re-elected to serve a second term.
The elections were criticized by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and the United Nations.[5] 176 global leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joseph Stiglitz, issued a letter that claimed the election "lacked legitimacy".[6][7]
Background
[edit]During 2013 the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its alliance of 18 opposition parties led by former prime minister and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia called more than 85 days of nationwide general strikes and blockades that brought the entire country to a grinding halt. The opposition demanded that the ruling Awami League party led by the current prime minister Sheikh Hasina amend the constitution, dissolve the parliament after their full five-year term ended on 24 January 2014, and then hand over power to a non-partisan interim government or a caretaker government that would be run by technocrats for 90 days. The job of a Caretaker Government of Bangladesh would then be to work in tandem with the Bangladesh Election Commission by helping them to organise, arrange, and oversee the general election held on 5 January and transfer power to a newly elected government. As most of the demands were not met within the stipulated time frame, all opposition parties boycotted the polls.[8] Hasina had offered an all party interim election cabinet government which would include opposition parties till the election but this was rejected by Zia.[9][10]
Date
[edit]Since the ninth parliament's mandate expires on 24 January 2014, according to the constitution of Bangladesh's Article 123(2)(a) requires a general election to be held between 26 October 2013 and 24 January 2014 or rather within 90 days before the expiration of the Parliament.[11] On 25 November 2013, the Bangladesh Election Commission announced that the 10th general election would be held on 5 January 2014.[12][13]
Boycott
[edit]Following months of protests, strikes and blockades, the 18-party opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party formally announced a boycott of the election citing unfair conditions for the election.[14] On 3 December 2013, Jatiya Party, led by former president Hussain Mohammad Ershad, also announced its intention to boycott the election. European Union representatives met BNP leader Khaleda Zia and asked her not to boycott the election and to stop the strikes and shutdowns and instead resort to dialogue with the government.[15][16] In a video message, Tarique Rahman, the senior vice-chairman of the BNP called for a boycott of the election saying that "the time has come for all of us to prevent and boycott the 5 January polls. Not for personal interest but for the sake of the country's existence".[17] The opposition had also called for the government to resign so an interim non-partisan administration could lead the country through the election period.[18]
Protests and violence
[edit]On the night of 4 December 2013, Jatiya Party leader H. M. Ershad threatened to kill himself after security forces besieged his home following his decision to boycott the election.[19] On 13 December, he was confined to a military hospital following his arrest from his Baridhara residence by security forces. According to the RAB commander, Ershad had been taken there at his own request.[20] Zia was also put under house arrest since 29 December at her Gulshan residence.[2] The Bangladesh Army was deployed throughout the country on 26 December on the request of the election commission to maintain law and order. The army would stay on the streets until 9 January 2014.[21]
On 13 December, Jamaat-e-Islami's Abdul Quader Mollah became the first person to be executed for war crimes relation to the Bangladesh Independence War resulting in violent protests by the Islamist opposition. Two ruling party activists were hacked to death in Kalaroa, while the Jamaat-e-Islami's activists firebombed train stations and blockaded roads. Another person died in clashes between police and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters in Noakhali, while a driver was killed after the party's activists chased him down. The opposition alliance called for a general strike on Sunday 15 December.[22]
On 29 December 2013 the BNP called for a "March for Democracy" towards Dhaka, in defiance of a police ban, to protest against the election. Zia said: "The government is autocratic and illegal. It should step down immediately".[23] One person was killed by the police in the centre of Dhaka, while a guard was killed in a blast at a train station.[23] Some supporters of the ruling Awami League also clashed with opposition activists outside the Bangladesh Supreme Court.[23][24][25] The BNP accused the police of barring Zia's car from leaving in order for her to lead the march.[25] Thousands of security forces, mainly police, were present to prevent the opposition activists from rallying.[26] Outside of the Supreme Court, police threw hot and coloured water from water cannons to disperse the protesters.[24] Sheikh Hasina, while agreeing with the right of the opposition to protest, said: "You can wage anti-government agitation. But make sure people are not killed by your movement."[27][28] A train was derailed by opposition activists in Gaibandha leading to three deaths.[29][30]
On 30 December, the 18-party opposition alliance announced a non-stop blockade of roads, railways and waterways across the country from 1 January 2014 in order to resist the scheduled election. The decision came after they were barred from holding national demonstrations the previous day. The protest was termed the "March for Democracy."[31] A general strike was called for 4, 5 and 6 January by the opposition parties.
On 3 and 4 January, opposition activists attacked potential polling centres across Bangladesh. They set fire to over 100 centres in Lakshmipur, Rajshahi, Pirojpur, Sylhet, Jhenaidah, Natore, Sirajganj and Brahmanbaria.[32][33]
At least 18 people died in election day violence after security forces fired on protesters and opposition activists torched over 100 voting centres.[18] In total 21 people died on the day and about 400 voting centers were disrupted.[4] BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists also attacked their Awami League counterparts and Hindus in eight villages under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila leaving 15 people injured and their houses and shops vandalised and looted. Further, a Hindu temple along with idols inside it were also attacked. The attacks spread through eight villages including Jhakua, Jhardanga, Baniyapara and Mondoppara. Hundreds of Hindus from these villages had fled fearing further attacks. On 7 January, two Hindus temples, Radha Gobind Mandir and Kali Mandir, were burnt by people suspected to be BNP party members.[34][35][36] Fearing rape threats, female members of Hindu families were sent away to their relatives' homes by their families in Abhaynagar of Jessore, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon.[37] Attacks also occurred in Dinajpur, Rangpur, Bogra, Lalmonirhat, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Jessore.[38]
Crackdown on the opposition
[edit]Before the election there were reports of opposition leaders and members being killed and arbitrarily arrested by the police. According to Human Rights Watch and US Department of State, Bangladesh police arrested "thousands" of opposition members.[3]
The government also interfered with opposition parties' organization of political events.[39] In December 2013, police prevented opposition from holding pre-election rallies, citing security reasons. The police also prevented BNP supports from organizing outside the party headquarters.[40]
Often opposition leaders were detained shortly after they announced strikes to protest the elections.[3] In one case, authorities arrested 203 opposition and leaders and activists on 26 December, immediately after the opposition announced it would be holding a "March for Democracy" on 29 December. By 28 December, one day before the rally, the police had arrested more than thousand BNP and Jamaat members.[3] Many of these were released in the evening or after the election.[3] In another case, BNP vice president Hafizuddin Ahmed was arrested immediately after he urged "non-stop demonstrations" until the elections. The police charged him with firebombing a bus in 2013. After the election, he was released.[3]
Khaleda Zia was prevented from leaving her home to attend a rally on 26 December,[3] and kept under house arrest until the election.[2] The government denied Zia was under house arrest. Zia's advisor Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Enam Ahmed Chowdhury were arrested on 29 December.[3]
Media shutdown
[edit]Prior to the election, the government restricted opposition broadcasting.[39] In 2013, ruling Awami League shut down TV stations and detained a prominent newspaper editor. The government said the measure was necessary to curb violence, but opposition saw this as politically motivated.[41]
Monitors
[edit]As a result of the boycott, the election commission suggested that the Awami League had already secured victory in 127 of the 153 uncontested seats. Similarly, Rowshan Ershad's (wife of H. M. Ershad) Jatiya Party had already won 21 uncontested seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal won three seats, the Workers Party won two seats and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one seat.[42] The E.U., the U.S. and the Commonwealth announced that they would not send observers since they were concerned about the credibility of the election due to the boycott.[43][44][45]
Opinion polls
[edit]The ruling Awami League suffered electoral losses when, according to The Economist, the opposition BNP "thrashed the League in mayoral elections in June and July, notably in Gazipur in the industrial belt, hitherto one of the League’s safest constituencies"[46] and polling data showed a plunge in the government's popularity.[47] Similarly, just prior to the election, an opinion poll indicated the incumbent Awami League would lose to the BNP in a direct contest.[48]
In the weeks following the election, a poll was conducted by Democracy International (DI), a US-based organization. They reported that the Awami League did have slightly more support than BNP, but acknowledged that the study's margin of error meant that the results were a "statistical dead heat".[49]
Results
[edit]The incumbent Bangladesh Awami League won the election with a safe majority, winning 234 seats. The election was controversial however as the opposition alliance boycotted the election.
As a result of the boycott, 153 of the 300 seats were uncontested,[50][51] of which the Awami League won 127 by default, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) led by Rowshan Ershad won 20, the JSD won three, the Workers Party won two and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one.[52]
Results of 139 seats, out of remaining 147 seats (which were contested), were released, with the Awami League winning 105, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) winning 13, the Workers Party winning four, the JSD winning two and the Tarikat Federation and BNF winning one each.[52] The remaining 8 constituencies election were suspended due to violence and election took place later.[52] The newly elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January.[53]
As a result of the boycott and violence voter turnout was lower than the previous few elections at only 40% in the 147 constituencies where an election took place, and as low as 22% in the capital, Dhaka.[51][44][54]
Party | Votes | % | Seats | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
General | Reserved | Total | ||||||
Awami League | 12,357,374 | 72.14 | 234 | 39 | 273 | |||
Jatiya Party | 1,199,727 | 7.00 | 34 | 6 | 40 | |||
Workers Party of Bangladesh | 359,620 | 2.10 | 6 | 1 | 7 | |||
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal | 203,799 | 1.19 | 5 | 1 | 6 | |||
Bangladesh Tarikat Federation | 177,449 | 1.04 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||
Jatiya Party (Manju) | 124,389 | 0.73 | 2 | 0 | 2 | |||
Bangladesh Nationalist Front | 107,990 | 0.63 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |||
Bangladesh National Awami Party | 7,120 | 0.04 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Khelafat Majlish | 5,725 | 0.03 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Gano Front | 2,717 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Bangladesh Islami Front | 2,585 | 0.02 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Ganatantri Party | 2,031 | 0.01 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Independents | 2,579,324 | 15.06 | 16 | 3 | 19 | |||
Total | 17,129,850 | 100.00 | 300 | 50 | 350 | |||
Valid votes | 17,129,850 | 98.49 | ||||||
Invalid/blank votes | 263,037 | 1.51 | ||||||
Total votes | 17,392,887 | 100.00 | ||||||
Registered voters/turnout | 43,943,184 | 39.58 | ||||||
Source: Parliament, Election Commission, IPU |
Reactions
[edit]The day after the result, Hasina said that the boycott should "not mean there will be a question of legitimacy. People participated in the poll and other parties participated." However, she also said she offered Zia a role in a new government. "Look, I tried my best, I told you, I offered ministry, I offered to share power with our opposition. I have done as much as I can do but they didn't respond. Now if they realise that they made a mistake in not participating in the election, perhaps then they may come forward to discuss with us or make an offer. If they come forward to discuss with us, they have to leave all these terrorist activities behind because what they are doing it is absolutely killing people, killing police, killing innocent people."[48] Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu added that the turnout did not matter: "What is important is that the people defied violence."[4] BNP Vice President Shamsher Chowdhury said that the low turnout indicated a desire for a new election. "This government must declare this election null and void and we need a new election organised by a non-party government. The government should not waste any more time."
International
[edit]- United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lamented that the election was neither peaceful nor inclusive.[5] He criticised both the BNP and the Awami League saying they should "resume meaningful dialogue and to urgently address the expectations of the people of Bangladesh for an inclusive political process."[48]
- United States: The United States said the election "did not appear to credibly express the will of the Bangladeshi people".
- United Kingdom: The United Kingdom expressed "disappointment" at the low voter turnout and criticized acts of violence and political harassment that had taken place.[55]
Media
[edit]Dhaka's The Daily Star featured an editorial that called the election in the country's history and that the Awami League won "a predictable and hollow victory, which gives it neither a mandate nor an ethical standing to govern effectively." In similarly criticising the opposition, the editorial mentioned that "political parties have the right to boycott elections. They also have the right to motivate people to side with their position. But what is unacceptable is using violence and intimidation to thwart an election."[18]
Aftermath
[edit]In the aftermath of the election, violence continued and the government continued the crackdown on the opposition. Police carried out raids and arrested opposition leaders. Other opposition leaders and members went into hiding, citing harassment by authorities.[56] By 21 January, the government had arrested 7,015 activists and leaders of opposition, and placed a bounty of 100,000 taka ($1,300) on the heads of other protest leaders.[57] Many of the protesters had destroyed vehicles and blockaded roads, and 29 people had died in the unrest.[57]
This led to the 2015 Bangladeshi political crisis.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Riaz, Ali (21 September 2020). "The pathway of democratic backsliding in Bangladesh". Democratization. 28: 179–197. doi:10.1080/13510347.2020.1818069. ISSN 1351-0347. S2CID 224958514.
- ^ a b c Bergman, David; Nelson, Dean (30 December 2013). "Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia 'under house arrest'". The Telegraph. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Democracy in the Crossfire". Human Rights Watch. 29 April 2014.
- ^ a b c "Bangladesh ruling party sweeps violent vote". Al Jazeera.
- ^ a b Chowdhury, Syed Tashfin (7 January 2014). "Violent Bangladesh poll 'not credible'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Over 100 Nobel laureates call on PM to suspend judicial proceedings against Prof Yunus". The Business Standard. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ Nazzaro, Miranda (31 August 2023). "Obama, world leaders call on Bangladesh to halt cases against Nobel Peace Prize winner". The Hill. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ "Bangladesh paralysed by opposition strike". Al Jazeera. 4 October 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ "Bangladesh PM Hasina proposes all-party election cabinet". BBC News. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ "PM calls on BNP to name reps to poll-time cabinet". New Age. Dhaka. 19 October 2013. Archived from the original on 6 January 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2013.
- ^ Hafez Ahmed. "Polls between Oct 26, 2013 and Jan 24, 2014". Daily Sun. Dhaka. Archived from the original on 1 November 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
- ^ "Bangladesh to hold parliamentary elections in January". BBC News. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ "National election Jan 5". The Independent. Dhaka. 26 November 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ "Bangladesh opposition to boycott elections". Al Jazeera. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "EU envoys urge BNP not to boycott polls". The Independent. Dhaka. 25 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ "EU tells Khaleda to not boycott polls". Bangladesh Chronicle. 7 November 2013. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 25 December 2013.
- ^ "Tarique calls for poll boycott". bdnews24.com. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ^ a b c "Bangladesh: Ruling Awami League wins election marred by boycott and violence". The Independent. London. 6 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "Ershad threatens suicide". Gulf Times. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2022.
- ^ "Ershad led away from home". Gulf Times.
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The study, conducted by US-based Democracy International a week after the BNP-boycotted the January 5 polls, found that if the elections were fully participatory, 42.7 per cent people would have voted for the Awami League, while 35.1 per cent would have preferred the BNP.
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