BM Desk:

Bangladesh’s 12th parliamentary elections, held yesterday, January 7, 2024, witnessed a 40% voter turnout, according to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal. While praising the election’s relative peacefulness, concerns arose due to a boycott by 28 candidates and the CEC’s cautious statement on international acceptance.

The polls, contested in 399 seats across 300 electoral constituencies, saw voting hours from 8 am to 4 pm. Though turnout fell short of expectations, the CEC emphasized the preliminary nature of the figure, acknowledging it could fluctuate slightly once all data is processed.

Responding to journalist queries, CEC Awal refrained from commenting on the election’s international standing, simply stating it was “good.” He did, however, confirm that 28 candidates boycotted the polls, citing various grievances including alleged irregularities. This raises questions about potential challenges to the election’s legitimacy and the level of public trust in the process.

Despite the lower turnout and boycott concerns, the 12th Jatiya Sangsad polls mark a significant event in Bangladesh’s political landscape.