Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized the 13th Parliamentary election, calling it a “farcical” event. She thanked the citizens, especially women and minority groups, for rejecting the polls. Hasina condemned the election organized by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, labeling it as a “well-planned farce” that disregarded democratic values and the Constitution.
From the evening of February 11, the election was marred by incidents like polling center seizures, vote-buying, and ballot stamping. Hasina highlighted the negligible voter turnout by the morning of February 12, indicating widespread rejection of the election. She mentioned the intimidation faced by Awami League supporters and minority communities, leading to empty polling centers.
The Awami League, led by Hasina, demanded the cancellation of the election, resignation of Muhammad Yunus, and release of political prisoners. They called for free and fair elections under a neutral caretaker government to restore voting rights. The party also urged the withdrawal of false cases and the lifting of the suspension on Awami League activities.
