Bangladesh Gears Up for Landmark Post-Uprising Election
Bangladesh is scheduled to hold its first national parliamentary election since a student-led uprising forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee last year. Voters will cast their ballots on 12 February, electing a new parliament and participating in a national referendum on the July Charter, a reform plan aiming to curb executive powers and strengthen judicial and electoral independence.
An interim administration, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, currently governs the South Asian nation of 173 million, grappling with public discontent over delayed reforms.
Contenders are joined by Jamaat-e-Islami, which has re-entered electoral politics after restrictions were eased, and the student-formed National Citizen Party. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League remains barred from contesting and has issued warnings of potential unrest.