Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secures her fourth term amid a controversial election

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has won her fourth consecutive term in a highly contested election. Her party, the Awami League, and its allies secured 152 out of the 300 parliamentary seats. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), boycotted the election, calling it a "sham". The BNP leaders and supporters faced mass arrests prior to the polls. Independent candidates won 45 seats, and the Jatiya Party won eight seats. This victory has raised concerns about de-facto one-party rule and the government's crackdown on opposition parties and civil society groups. The BNP had demanded an independent caretaker government to oversee the election, but their demands were rejected by the Awami League. The BNP has urged people not to cast their votes. The BNP's acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, who is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, denies accusations of BNP party workers' involvement in arson attacks and claims all allegations against him are politically motivated. Ms. Zia is currently under house arrest on corruption charges. Despite criticism and concerns, Hasina's supporters credit her for bringing political stability to Bangladesh and achieving economic growth. Under her leadership, Bangladesh's economy has grown rapidly, becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the region and lifting millions of people out of poverty. However, the country's economy has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a global economic slowdown. Rising inflation and conditions tied to an IMF loan are expected to present difficulties for the government in managing public fallout. International pressure has also increased, with the US imposing visa restrictions on Bangladeshi officials accused of undermining the democratic election process. The United Nations and other international organizations have expressed alarm over human rights abuses and curbs on dissent. However, Hasina relies on India's support to counter major sanctions from the West. The question of Hasina's successor is a significant issue for many in Bangladesh, including Awami League supporters. While the election result was clear, the country's future remains uncertain.