Islamists Gain Ground as Bangladesh Gears up for Elections

Islamists gain ground as Bangladesh gears up for elections

As old political alliances fracture and constitutional debates intensify, an unprecedented Islamist alliance is reshaping the country's electoral landscape.

B'desh gears up to hold crucial elections on Thursday amid high security

Dhaka, Feb 11 (PTI) Bangladesh will hold crucial parliamentary elections on Thursday, 18 months after an interim government took charge following the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year regime in massive country-wide deadly protests.The Election Commission has made elaborate security arrangements, deploying nearly one million security personnel - the largest-ever in the country's electoral history. The 13th Parliamentary elections…

Bangladesh Heads to Crucial Elections Amid Political Exclusion: A Divided Nation Needs Democratic Renewal

All signs point to a BNP victory. In a competitive contest without the Awami League, the BNP’s organisational depth and electoral reach make it the frontrunner. Yet victory alone may not translate into authority. The absence of the Awami League, the continued influence of Sheikh Hasina from exile, the rise of Islamist alternatives, and the central role of unelected institutions mean that any new government will inherit a fractured polity. The 20…