"Bangladesh's Contested Democracy: Allegations of 'Sham' Elections and the Quest for Change"
Bangladesh's national election is under scrutiny for being a "charade" with allegations of the ruling Awami League party fielding "dummy" candidates and using intimidation tactics to ensure a win for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who seeks a fourth term. The main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has boycotted the vote, citing a lack of confidence in a free and fair election under Hasina's rule. The BNP's boycott, arrests of its members, and international concerns cast doubt on the election's legitimacy, while the government aims to secure a "reasonable" voter turnout through alleged coercion.