2014 Bangladeshi general election

none August 2022 Bangladesh parliamentary 2008 Bangladeshi general election 2008 2018 Bangladeshi general election 2018 5 January 2014 List of members of the 9th Jatiya Sangsad List of members of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad 300 of the 350 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad 151 43,943,184 39.58% ( 47.55pp) Portrait of Sheikh Hasina.jpg Sheikh Hasina Awami League 48.04%, 230 seats 234 4 12,357,374 72.14% 24.10pp Rowshan Ershad.png Rowshan Ershad Jatiya Party (Ershad) 7.04%, 27 seats 34 7 1,199,727 7.00% 0.04pp 2014 Bangladeshi general election.svg Results by constituency Prime minister Prime Minister after election Sheikh Hasina Awami League Sheikh Hasina Awami League General elections were held in Bangladesh on 5 January 2014, in accordance with the constitutional requirement that elections must take place within the 90-day period before the expiration of the term of the Jatiya Sangshad on 24 January 2014. The elections were not free and fair.Riaz Ali 2020-09-21 The pathway of democratic backsliding in Bangladesh https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2020.1818069 Democratization 28 179–197 10.1080/13510347.2020.1818069 224958514 1351-0347 subscription They were preceded by a government crackdown on the opposition, with Bangladesh Nationalist Party and opposition leader Khaleda Zia put under house arrest. There were widespread arrests of other opposition members, violence and strikes by the opposition, attacks on religious minorities, and extrajudicial killings by the government, with around 21 people killed on election day. Almost all major opposition parties boycotted the elections, resulting in 153 of the 300 directly elected seats being uncontested and the incumbent Awami League-led Grand Alliance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina winning a landslide majority. Hasina became the first prime minister in the history of Bangladesh to be re-elected to serve a second term. The elections were criticized by the United States, United Kingdom, European Union and the United Nations.Violent Bangladesh poll 'not credible' http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/01/violent-bangladesh-poll-not-credible-201417153340105129.html Al Jazeera Syed Tashfin Chowdhury 7 January 2014 9 March 2022 176 global leaders including U.S. President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and Joseph Stiglitz, issued a letter that claimed the election "lacked legitimacy".2023-08-28 Over 100 Nobel laureates call on PM to suspend judicial proceedings against Prof Yunus https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/possible-jailing-prof-yunus-174-global-leaders-express-alarm-open-letter-pm-690462 2023-09-01 The Business Standard enNazzaro Miranda 2023-08-31 Obama, world leaders call on Bangladesh to halt cases against Nobel Peace Prize winner https://thehill.com/policy/international/4180962-obama-world-leaders-call-on-bangladesh-to-halt-cases-against-nobel-peace-prize-winner/ 2023-09-01 The Hill en-US Background During 2013 the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its alliance of 18 opposition parties led by former prime minister and Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia called more than 85 days of nationwide general strikes and blockades that brought the entire country to a grinding halt. The opposition demanded that the ruling Awami League party led by the current prime minister Sheikh Hasina amend the constitution, dissolve the parliament after their full five-year term ended on 24 January 2014, and then hand over power to a non-partisan interim government or a caretaker government that would be run by technocrats for 90 days. The job of a Caretaker Government of Bangladesh would then be to work in tandem with the Bangladesh Election Commission by helping them to organise, arrange, and oversee the general election held on 5 January and transfer power to a newly elected government. As most of the demands were not met within the stipulated time frame, all opposition parties boycotted the polls.2011-10-04 Bangladesh paralysed by opposition strike http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/201352653414218728.html Al Jazeera 2013-05-29 Hasina had offered an all party interim election cabinet government which would include opposition parties till the election but this was rejected by Zia.2013-10-18 Bangladesh PM Hasina proposes all-party election cabinet https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24583020 BBC News 2013-12-25PM calls on BNP to name reps to poll-time cabinet http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-10-19&nid=69557 New Age Dhaka 2013-10-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20140106031905/http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-10-19&nid=69557 2014-01-06 2013-12-27 Date thumb|left|Ballot paper from 2014 election As the ninth parliament's mandate expired on 24 January 2014, article 123(2)(a) of the constitution required a general election to be held between 26 October 2013 and 24 January 2014, within 90 days before the expiration of the term of the Jatiya Sangshad.Hafez Ahmed Polls between Oct 26, 2013 and Jan 24, 2014 http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_07-08-2012_Polls-between-Oct-26,-2013-and-Jan-24,-2014_227_1_1_1_1.html Daily Sun Dhaka https://web.archive.org/web/20121101195220/http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_07-08-2012_Polls-between-Oct-26%2C-2013-and-Jan-24%2C-2014_227_1_1_1_1.html 2012-11-01 2013-05-29 dead On 25 November 2013, the Bangladesh Election Commission announced that the 10th general election would be held on 5 January 2014.2013-11-25 Bangladesh to hold parliamentary elections in January https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25093165 BBC News 2013-12-252013-11-26 National election Jan 5 http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=194581:national-election-jan-5&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 The Independent Dhaka 2013-12-25 Boycott Following months of protests, strikes and blockades, the 18-party opposition alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party formally announced a boycott of the election citing unfair conditions for the election.Bangladesh opposition to boycott elections http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/bangladesh-opposition-boycott-elections-2013122900876856.html Al Jazeera 2 December 2013 9 March 2022 On 3 December 2013, Jatiya Party, led by former president Hussain Mohammad Ershad, also announced its intention to boycott the election. European Union representatives met BNP leader Khaleda Zia and asked her not to boycott the election and to stop the strikes and shutdowns and instead resort to dialogue with the government.2013-12-25 EU envoys urge BNP not to boycott polls http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192414:garment-workers-assoc-rejects-new-wages&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 The Independent Dhaka 2013-12-25 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20131227125248/http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192414%3Agarment-workers-assoc-rejects-new-wages&catid=129%3Afrontpage&Itemid=121 2013-12-272013-11-07 EU tells Khaleda to not boycott polls http://www.bangladeshchronicle.net/index.php/2013/11/eu-tells-khaleda-to-not-boycott-polls/ Bangladesh Chronicle https://web.archive.org/web/20150711062252/http://www.bangladeshchronicle.net/index.php/2013/11/eu-tells-khaleda-to-not-boycott-polls/ 2015-07-11 2013-12-25 In a video message, Tarique Rahman, the senior vice-chairman of the BNP called for a boycott of the election saying that "the time has come for all of us to prevent and boycott the 5 January polls. Not for personal interest but for the sake of the country's existence".2013-09-14 Tarique calls for poll boycott http://bdnews24.com/politics/2014/01/04/tarique-calls-for-poll-boycott bdnews24.com 2014-01-05 The opposition had also called for the government to resign so an interim non-partisan administration could lead the country through the election period. Protests and violence 2013–2014 Satkhira clashes On the night of 4 December 2013, Jatiya Party leader H. M. Ershad threatened to kill himself after security forces besieged his home following his decision to boycott the election.Ershad threatens suicide http://www.gulf-times.com/bangladesh/245/details/373798/ershad-threatens-suicide Gulf Times 5 December 2013 9 March 2022 On 13 December, he was confined to a military hospital following his arrest from his Baridhara residence by security forces. According to the RAB commander, Ershad had been taken there at his own request.Ershad led away from home http://www.gulf-times.com/bangladesh/245/details/374609/ershad-led-away-from-home Gulf Times Zia was also put under house arrest since 29 December at her Gulshan residence. The Bangladesh Army was deployed throughout the country on 26 December on the request of the election commission to maintain law and order. The army would stay on the streets until 9 January 2014.Bangladesh: Army deployed ahead of controversial January 5 polls http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangladesh-army-deployed-ahead-of-controversial-january-5-polls/441721-2.html https://web.archive.org/web/20131229021205/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bangladesh-army-deployed-ahead-of-controversial-january-5-polls/441721-2.html dead 2013-12-29 IBNLive On 13 December Jamaat-e-Islami's Abdul Quader Mollah became the first person to be executed for war crimes relation to the Bangladesh Independence War resulting in violent protests by the Islamist opposition. Two ruling party activists were hacked to death in Kalaroa, while the Jamaat-e-Islami's activists firebombed train stations and blockaded roads. Another person died in clashes between police and Jamaat-e-Islami supporters in Noakhali, while a driver was killed after the party's activists chased him down. The opposition alliance called for a general strike on Sunday 15 December.Bangladesh execution sparks violent protests http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/bangladesh-execution-sparks-violent-protests-201312135743734649.html Al Jazeera 13 December 2013 11 March 2022 On 29 December 2013 the BNP called for a "March for Democracy" towards Dhaka, in defiance of a police ban, to protest against the election. Zia said: "The government is autocratic and illegal. It should step down immediately".Bangladesh activists clash with police at polls protest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25543054 BBC News 29 December 2013 11 March 2022 One person was killed by the police in the centre of Dhaka, while a guard was killed in a blast at a train station. Some supporters of the ruling Awami League also clashed with opposition activists outside the Bangladesh Supreme Court.Awami League cadres attack on Bangladesh Supreme Court with police back up; creates unprecedented mayhem http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1071186?ref=feeds%2Flatest CNN iReportProtester killed during clashes in Bangladesh http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/12/protester-killed-during-clashes-bangladesh-2013122984511139648.html Al Jazeera 30 December 2013 12 March 2022 The BNP accused the police of barring Zia's car from leaving in order for her to lead the march. Thousands of security forces, mainly police, were present to prevent the opposition activists from rallying.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/police-deploy-in-bangladesh-for-opposition-rally/2013/12/29/03bb528e-704c-11e3-a5d0-6f31cd74f760_story.html Police Deploy in Bangladesh for Opposition Rally The Washington Post Associated Press https://archive.today/20131230054956/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/police-deploy-in-bangladesh-for-opposition-rally/2013/12/29/03bb528e-704c-11e3-a5d0-6f31cd74f760_story.html 2013-12-30 dead Outside of the Supreme Court, police threw hot and coloured water from water cannons to disperse the protesters. Sheikh Hasina, while agreeing with the right of the opposition to protest, said: "You can wage anti-government agitation. But make sure people are not killed by your movement."2013-12-31 Stop killing people: Bangladesh PM Hasina to Khaleda Zia http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/stop-killing-people-bangladesh-pm-hasina-to-khaleda-zia-113123000388_1.html Business Standard New Delhi 2013-12-302013-12-30 Stop killing people: Sheikh Hasina tells Khaleda Zia http://post.jagran.com/stop-killing-people-sheikh-hasina-tells-khaleda-zia-1388396608 https://web.archive.org/web/20131231002229/http://post.jagran.com/stop-killing-people-sheikh-hasina-tells-khaleda-zia-1388396608 dead 31 December 2013 Jagran Post 2013-12-30 A train was derailed by opposition activists in Gaibandha leading to three deaths.2013-12-04 Bangladesh opposition accused of fatal train derailment https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25211962 BBC News 2013-12-302013-11-28 http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/asia/262577/bangladesh-train-derailed-in-protest Bangladesh train derailed in protest The Peninsula Qatar 2013-12-30 https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001649/http://thepeninsulaqatar.com/news/asia/262577/bangladesh-train-derailed-in-protest 2013-12-31 dead On 30 December, the 18-party opposition alliance announced a non-stop blockade of roads, railways and waterways across the country from 1 January 2014 in order to resist the scheduled election. The decision came after they were barred from holding national demonstrations the previous day. The protest was termed the "March for Democracy."Indefinite blockade in Bangladesh from Jan 1 http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/indefinite-blockade-in-bangladesh-from-jan-1-113123100340_1.html Business Standard New Delhi A general strike was called for 4, 5 and 6 January by the opposition parties. On 3 and 4 January, opposition activists attacked potential polling centres across Bangladesh. They set fire to over 100 centres in Lakshmipur, Rajshahi, Pirojpur, Sylhet, Jhenaidah, Natore, Sirajganj and Brahmanbaria.2013-09-14 More polling centres set on fire http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/04/more-polling-centres-set-on-fire bdnews24.com 2014-01-05Bangladesh hit by general strike on poll eve http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-hit-general-strike-poll-eve-20141444829489553.html Al Jazeera 2014-01-05 thumb|Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (2014) At least 18 people died in election day violence after security forces fired on protesters and opposition activists torched over 100 voting centres.Bangladesh: Ruling Awami League wins election marred by boycott and violence https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladeshs-ruling-awami-league-wins-election-marred-by-boycott-and-violence-9041436.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/bangladeshs-ruling-awami-league-wins-election-marred-by-boycott-and-violence-9041436.html 2022-05-01 subscription live The Independent London 6 January 2014 11 March 2022 In total 21 people died on the day and about 400 voting centers were disrupted. BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists also attacked their Awami League counterparts and Hindus in eight villages under Thakurgaon Sadar Upazila leaving 15 people injured and their houses and shops vandalised and looted. Further, a Hindu temple along with idols inside it were also attacked. The attacks spread through eight villages including Jhakua, Jhardanga, Baniyapara and Mondoppara. Hundreds of Hindus from these villages had fled fearing further attacks. On 7 January, two Hindus temples, Radha Gobind Mandir and Kali Mandir, were burnt by people suspected to be BNP party members.2 temples torched in Bagerhat http://www.thedailystar.net/2-temples-torched-in-bagerhat-6155 The Daily Star 2014-01-09Attacks on minorities trigger protest, immediate trial of perpetrators demanded http://www.dhakatribune.com/politics/2014/jan/11/attacks-minorities-trigger-protest-immediate-trial-perpetrators-demanded Dhaka Tribune 2014-01-1132 BNP, Jamaat men arrested http://www.dhakaherald.com/news/local/32-bnp-jamaat-men-arrested/ Dhaka Herald 2011-01-11 Fearing rape threats, female members of Hindu families were sent away to their relatives' homes by their families in Abhaynagar of Jessore, Dinajpur, and Thakurgaon.Hindus send females away: Males stay back at houses damaged by BNP-Jamaat in 4 districts http://www.thedailystar.net/hindus-send-females-away-6012 The Daily Star Attacks also occurred in Dinajpur, Rangpur, Bogra, Lalmonirhat, Rajshahi, Chittagong and Jessore.Hundreds of Hindus attacked in post-poll violence in Bangladesh take shelter in temples https://www.indiatoday.in/world/asia/story/hindus-attacked-in-post-poll-violence-in-bangladesh-175889-2014-01-06 India Today 7 January 2014 9 March 2022 Crackdown on the opposition Before the election there were reports of opposition leaders and members being killed and arbitrarily arrested by the police. According to Human Rights Watch and US Department of State, Bangladesh police arrested "thousands" of opposition members.Democracy in the Crossfire https://www.hrw.org/report/2014/04/29/democracy-crossfire/opposition-violence-and-government-abuses-2014-pre-and-post Human Rights Watch 2014-04-29 The government also interfered with opposition parties' organization of political events.Bangladesh: 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2014/sca/236634.htm#section1darbitrary US Department of State In December 2013, police prevented opposition from holding pre-election rallies, citing security reasons. The police also prevented BNP supports from organizing outside the party headquarters.Political Clashes Grow in Bangladesh's Capital https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/30/world/asia/bangladeshs-political-crisis-grows.html The New York Times Julfikar Ali Manik Gardiner Harris 30 December 2012 9 March 2022 Often opposition leaders were detained shortly after they announced strikes to protest the elections. In one case, authorities arrested 203 opposition and leaders and activists on 26 December, immediately after the opposition announced it would be holding a "March for Democracy" on 29 December. By 28 December, one day before the rally, the police had arrested more than thousand BNP and Jamaat members. Many of these were released in the evening or after the election. In another case, BNP vice president Hafizuddin Ahmed was arrested immediately after he urged "non-stop demonstrations" until the elections. The police charged him with firebombing a bus in 2013. After the election, he was released. Khaleda Zia was prevented from leaving her home to attend a rally on 26 December, and kept under house arrest until the election.Bangladesh's former prime minister Khaleda Zia 'under house arrest' https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/10542535/Bangladeshs-former-prime-minister-Khaleda-Zia-under-house-arrest.html The Telegraph David Bergman Dean Nelson 30 December 2013 9 March 2022 The government denied Zia was under house arrest. Zia's advisor Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury and Enam Ahmed Chowdhury were arrested on 29 December. Media shutdown Prior to the election, the government restricted opposition broadcasting. In 2013, ruling Awami League shut down TV stations and detained a prominent newspaper editor. The government said the measure was necessary to curb violence, but opposition saw this as politically motivated.Bangladesh media suffers crackdown http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/2013528153749695207.html Al Jazeera 28 May 2013 9 March 2022 Monitors As a result of the boycott, the election commission suggested that the Awami League had already secured victory in 127 of the 153 uncontested seats. Similarly, Rowshan Ershad's (wife of H. M. Ershad) Jatiya Party had already won 21 uncontested seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal won three seats, the Workers Party won two seats and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one seat.Single candidate in 154 seats http://www.theguardianbd.com/single-candidate-in-154-seats/ The Guardian 2013-12-31 https://web.archive.org/web/20140101113940/http://www.theguardianbd.com/single-candidate-in-154-seats/ 2014-01-01 dead The E.U., the U.S. and the Commonwealth announced that they would not send observers since they were concerned about the credibility of the election due to the boycott.Election monitors to boycott Bangladesh polls http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/12/election-monitors-boycott-bangladesh-polls-2013122712914224624.html Al JazeeraAlam Julhas 2014-01-05 Violence, low turnout mar elections in Bangladesh https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/violence-low-turnout-mar-elections-in-bangladesh/2014/01/05/9176b932-765b-11e3-b1c5-739e63e9c9a7_story.html The Washington Post 2014-05-27 Opinion polls The ruling Awami League suffered electoral losses when, according to The Economist, the opposition BNP "thrashed the League in mayoral elections in June and July, notably in Gazipur in the industrial belt, hitherto one of the League’s safest constituencies"Bangladesh's volatile politics: The battling begums https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583297-pendulum-swings-away-sheikh-hasina-and-her-government-battling-begums The Economist 2013-08-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20130811103540/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583297-pendulum-swings-away-sheikh-hasina-and-her-government-battling-begums 2013-08-11 live and polling data showed a plunge in the government's popularity.Justice and vengeance in Bangladesh: Swing votes https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21586592-election-looms-and-so-does-hangman-swing-votes The Economist 2013-09-21 https://web.archive.org/web/20130919185839/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21586592-election-looms-and-so-does-hangman-swing-votes 2013-09-19 live Similarly, just prior to the election, an opinion poll indicated the incumbent Awami League would lose to the BNP in a direct contest.Bangladesh PM open for talks if unrest ends http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-pm-says-election-win-legitimate-201416113644882630.html Al Jazeera In the weeks following the election, a poll was conducted by Democracy International (DI), a US-based organization. They reported that the Awami League did have slightly more support than BNP, but acknowledged that the study's margin of error meant that the results were a "statistical dead heat".2014-02-04 Awami League will win if elections are held today: poll http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/awami-league-will-win-if-elections-are-held-today-poll-114020300410_1.html Business Standard New Delhi 2014-02-04 The study, conducted by US-based Democracy International a week after the BNP-boycotted the January 5 polls, found that if the elections were fully participatory, 42.7 per cent people would have voted for the Awami League, while 35.1 per cent would have preferred the BNP. Results The incumbent Bangladesh Awami League won the election with a safe majority, winning 234 seats. The election was controversial however as the opposition alliance boycotted the election. As a result of the boycott, 153 of the 300 seats were uncontested,Last elections IPUElection Commission Bangladesh http://www.ecs.gov.bd/files/PjkqznV62UnbChDNA47y6iZovaHngtTnP6doAfwz.pdf 2015 Statistics Report. 10th Jatiya Sangsad Elections (in Bengali) 31 May 2022 of which the Awami League won 127 by default, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) led by Rowshan Ershad won 20, the JSD won three, the Workers Party won two and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one.2013-09-14 Repolls ordered in 8 constituencies http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/06/re-election-in-8-constituencies bdnews24.com 2014-01-06 25 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181225043504/https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2014/01/06/re-election-in-8-constituencies%20 dead Results of 139 seats, out of remaining 147 seats (which were contested), were released, with the Awami League winning 105, the Jatiya Party (Ershad) winning 13, the Workers Party winning four, the JSD winning two and the Tarikat Federation and BNF winning one each. The remaining 8 constituencies election were suspended due to violence and election took place later. The newly elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January.Newly elected Bangladesh MPs sworn in http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/newly-elected-bangladesh-mps-sworn-20141971236829980.html Al Jazeera 9 January 2014 12 March 2022 As a result of the boycott and violence voter turnout was lower than the previous few elections at only 40% in the 147 constituencies where an election took place, and as low as 22% in the capital, Dhaka.Barry Ellen 2014-01-06 Low Turnout in Bangladesh Elections Amid Boycott and Violence https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/world/asia/boycott-and-violence-mar-elections-in-bangladesh.html The New York Times 2014-05-27 File:Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad 2014.svg General Women Total +/– Awami League 12357374 234 39 273 Jatiya Party 1199727 34 6 40 Workers Party of Bangladesh 359620 6 1 7 Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal 203799 5 1 6 Bangladesh Tarikat Federation 177449 2 0 2 Jatiya Party (Manju) 124389 2 0 2 Bangladesh Nationalist Front 107990 1 0 1 Bangladesh National Awami Party 7120 0 0 0 Khelafat Majlish 5725 0 0 0 Gano Front 2717 0 0 0 Bangladesh Islami Front 2585 0 0 0 Ganatantri Party 2031 0 0 0 Independents 2579324 16 3 19 263037 43943184 Parliament, Election Commission, IPU Reactions The day after the result, Hasina said that the boycott should "not mean there will be a question of legitimacy. People participated in the poll and other parties participated." However, she also said she offered Zia a role in a new government. "Look, I tried my best, I told you, I offered ministry, I offered to share power with our opposition. I have done as much as I can do but they didn't respond. Now if they realise that they made a mistake in not participating in the election, perhaps then they may come forward to discuss with us or make an offer. If they come forward to discuss with us, they have to leave all these terrorist activities behind because what they are doing it is absolutely killing people, killing police, killing innocent people." Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu added that the turnout did not matter: "What is important is that the people defied violence."Bangladesh ruling party sweeps violent vote http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/01/bangladesh-vote-201416229528440.html Al Jazeera BNP Vice President Shamsher Chowdhury said that the low turnout indicated a desire for a new election. "This government must declare this election null and void and we need a new election organised by a non-party government. The government should not waste any more time." International United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon lamented that the election was neither peaceful nor inclusive. He criticised both the BNP and the Awami League saying they should "resume meaningful dialogue and to urgently address the expectations of the people of Bangladesh for an inclusive political process." United States: The United States said the election "did not appear to credibly express the will of the Bangladeshi people". United Kingdom: The United Kingdom expressed "disappointment" at the low voter turnout and criticized acts of violence and political harassment that had taken place.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/baroness-warsi-comments-on-bangladesh-election-results Baroness Warsi comments on Bangladesh election results gov.uk 6 January 2014 12 March 2022 Media Dhaka's The Daily Star featured an editorial that called the election in the country's history and that the Awami League won "a predictable and hollow victory, which gives it neither a mandate nor an ethical standing to govern effectively." In similarly criticising the opposition, the editorial mentioned that "political parties have the right to boycott elections. They also have the right to motivate people to side with their position. But what is unacceptable is using violence and intimidation to thwart an election." Aftermath In the aftermath of the election, violence continued and the government continued the crackdown on the opposition. Police carried out raids and arrested opposition leaders. Other opposition leaders and members went into hiding, citing harassment by authorities.Bangladesh opposition members go into hiding following violent national election https://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/01/09/bangladesh_opposition_members_go_into_hiding_following_violent_national_election.html Toronto Star 9 January 2014 Julhas Alam 9 March 2022 By 21 January, the government had arrested 7,015 activists and leaders of opposition, and placed a bounty of 100,000 taka ($1,300) on the heads of other protest leaders.https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30917345 Bangladesh arrests 7,000 opposition activists BBC News 21 January 2015 9 March 2022 Many of the protesters had destroyed vehicles and blockaded roads, and 29 people had died in the unrest. This led to the 2015 Bangladeshi political crisis. See also List of members of the 10th Jatiya Sangsad References General Category:General elections in Bangladesh Bangladesh Bangladesh Category:Premiership of Sheikh Hasina