Bangladesh Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina demands cancellation of polls, thanks voters as turnout remains under 50%

Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina demands Bangladesh election be scrapped

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for the cancellation of the parliamentary elections, even as she thanked voters amid turnout remaining below 50 per cent.

In a statement issued after polling concluded, Hasina expressed gratitude to “the masses at all levels, including mothers, sisters, and minority communities” for what she described as rejecting a flawed electoral process. She accused interim leader Muhammad Yunus of assuming power “illegally and unconstitutionally” and alleged that the vote lacked legitimacy.

“Today’s so-called election organised by Yunus, who took power through illegal and unconstitutional means, was essentially a carefully planned farce,” Hasina said. She further claimed the polls ignored “the people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the constitution” and were conducted “without the Awami League and without voters.”

Citing figures shared by the Bangladesh Election Commission, Hasina pointed to low early participation as evidence of public disapproval. "Voter turnout until 11 am (within three and a half hours) was only 14.96%. This low participation at the peak voting period proves that the public boycotted and rejected this election without the Awami League," Hasina said.

Her remarks come amid heightened political tensions in Bangladesh, where voting for the 13th national elections was completed following last year’s political upheaval.