Election
Canada disappointed that Bangladesh’s electoral process has ‘fallen short of’ democratic principles
Canada has said it remains “committed to support” the people of Bangladesh in their aspirations for a more stable, prosperous, and democratic future.
“Fair elections with a viable opposition, independent democratic institutions and freedom of the press are critical to ensuring a strong and healthy democracy,” said the Canadian government in a statement.
Will continue to work with government of Bangladesh on priorities that characterise longstanding relations: EU
Canada expressed its “disappointment” that this electoral process has “fallen short of” the principles of democracy and freedom upon which Bangladesh was founded, and called on the relevant authorities to work transparently with all parties to move forward towards democracy, respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in line with the interests of the people of Bangladesh.
New Bangladesh Ambassador Rezina Ahmed presents credentials to Portuguese president
Global Affairs Canada on January 9 issued the statement regarding the parliamentary election held in Bangladesh on January 7, 2024.
“Canada commends and supports the democratic aspirations of Bangladeshi citizens and condemns the acts of intimidation and violence that took place ahead and during the elections,” said the Canadian government.
Scottish MP congratulates PM Hasina on re-election, praises election process
The country extended sympathy to all of those who have been affected by the violence that has occurred.
Canada was one of the first countries to recognize the independence of Bangladesh in 1971.
Election 2024: List of winners from Rajshahi division
The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority for a fourth election in a row on Sunday (January 07, 2024), in 299 out of 300 constituencies, and a strong showing by independent candidates as predicted.
Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday’s election, while independent candidates — most of them belonging to AL — won 62 seats.
Read more: Election 2024: List of winners from Barishal division
Here’s the list of candidates from Rajshahi division who won in the National Election 2024:
Election 2024: List of winners from Barishal division
The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority for a fourth election in a row on Sunday (January 07, 2024), in 299 out of 300 constituencies, and a strong showing by independent candidates as predicted.
Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday’s election, while independent candidates — most of them belonging to AL — won 62 seats.
Read more: Election 2024: List of winners from Rajshahi division
Here’s the list of candidates from Barishal division who won in the National Election 2024:
Election 2024: List of winners from Sylhet division
The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority for a fourth election in a row on Sunday (January 07, 2024), in 299 out of 300 constituencies, and a strong showing by independent candidates as predicted.
Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday’s election, while independent candidates — most of them belonging to AL — won 62 seats.
Read more: New Cabinet to take oath on Jan 11
Here’s the list of candidates from Sylhet division who won in the National Election 2024:
New Cabinet to take oath on Jan 11
Following Awami League’s victory in the 12th National Parliamentary Election, the oath-taking ceremony of the newly formed cabinet will be held on Thursday (January 11) evening at Bangabhaban.
President Md Shahabuddin will administer the oath-taking ceremony to the prime minister, ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban at 7 pm Thursday, said Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain.
It’s a vote robbery in name of election, says Oli Ahmed in rejecting Sunday’s vote
On Sunday, the Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority in the fourth election in a row, in 299 out of 300 constituencies where voting was held, and a strong showing by independent candidates, as predicted.
The ruling party candidate has won 222 seats, while independent candidates (most of them also belonging to AL) won in 62 seats.
Foreign powers to show 'red card' to AL govt after election: Manna
Besides, Jatiya Party secured 11 seats and three candidates from three parties -- Bangladesh Workers’ Party, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-Jasod and Bangladesh Kalyan Party -- secured victory in their respective constituencies.
Election 2024: List of winners from Khulna division
The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority for a fourth election in a row on Sunday (January 07, 2024), in 299 out of 300 constituencies, and a strong showing by independent candidates as predicted.
Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday’s election, while independent candidates — most of them belonging to AL — won 62 seats.
Read more: Election 2024: List of winners from Chattogram division
Here’s the list of candidates from Khulna division who won in the National Election 2024:
Election 2024: List of winners from Dhaka division
The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority for a fourth election in a row on Sunday (January 07, 2024), in 299 out of 300 constituencies, and a strong showing by independent candidates as predicted.
Ruling party candidates won in 222 seats in Sunday’s election, while independent candidates — most of them belonging to AL — won 62 seats.
Read more: Election 2024: List of winners from Khulna division
Here’s the list of candidates from Dhaka division who won in the National Election 2024:
Bangladesh elections were not free and fair: US
The United States shared the view with other observers that Sunday's (January 07, 2024) elections in Bangladesh "were not free or fair" and they regret that not all parties participated, the US State Department said.
The United States remains concerned by the arrests of political opposition members and by reports of irregularities on elections day, said US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller in Washington on Monday (January 08, 2024).
Miller said the United States supports the people of Bangladesh and their aspirations for democracy, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
Read: No legitimate grounds to warrant economic sanctions against Bangladesh: BGMEA
The United States, however, recognised that the Awami League won a majority of seats in the January 7, 2024 parliamentary elections, he said.
"Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties," said Miller.
He said the United States condemned violence that took place during elections and in the months leading up to it.
Read: Awami League not worried about any sanctions: Quader
The US encouraged the government of Bangladesh to credibly investigate reports of violence and to hold perpetrators accountable, said the spokesperson.
"We also urge all political parties to reject violence," Miller said.
Read more: Bangladeshis did not get fullest range of voting options: UK on Sunday’s election
"My read of this US readout on Bangladesh’s election is that the current US policy toward Dhaka will essentially remain in place-a continued strong focus on rights and democracy, but otherwise stay the course and keep pursuing deeper strategic partnership," said Michael Kugelman.
"US government statement on Bangladesh elections acknowledges AL win, criticizes process, condemns violence, and looks forward to continued partnership," said Geoffrey Macdonald.
India congratulates PM Hasina on election victory, hopes for ‘even stronger momentum’ in ties
India has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her election victory and eyes “even stronger momentum and growth” in the bilateral partnership in support of each other’s national development.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma during his call on PM Hasina today (January 08, 2024) conveyed warm greetings and congratulations on behalf of the government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Read more: Envoys of India, China, Russia and four other countries congratulate Hasina on her big election victory
India was the first country to congratulate the Prime Minister today.
The Indian high commissioner expressed hope that during the new term of PM Hasina’s government, there will be even stronger momentum and growth in the bilateral partnership.
The envoy said that India will continue to support people of Bangladesh in realizing their vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous nation, guided by their long-standing friendship and inspired by their shared sacrifices in the Liberation War.
Read more: Visiting foreign observers describe National Election 2024 in Bangladesh as ‘free, fair and safe’
Visiting foreign observers describe National Election 2024 in Bangladesh as ‘free, fair and safe’
Visiting international observers today (January 08, 2024) described the just-held 12th National Parliamentary Election in Bangladesh as “free, fair and safe.”
“Considering the overall situation, all the observers present here agree that the 12th National Parliamentary Election of Bangladesh was held peacefully and with the participation of the common people. It was free, fair and very safe,” observer Terry L Easley said at a media briefing at Jatiya Press Club.
The observer from the US said there was no intimidation of voters by the candidates or parties participating in the election. “This bode well for democracy and voting rights.”
“We have heard of some isolated incidents. Like clashes among the supporters of the government's candidates, independent candidates and other parties which is unexpected. But if we review the overall election situation, those incidents are very insignificant,” Easley said.
"What we have seen is that the voting process of Bangladesh is similar to many countries in the world," said the leader of international observers team.
They said if all the political parties participated in the elections, the atmosphere would have been more beautiful and joyful.
Talking to the voters in all the centers they observed, they found that they did not face anyobstacles on their way to vote.
They congratulated the Election Commission for conducting the election successfully and efficiently.
Jim Bates, former US congressman and an election observer, also spoke, among others.
The international observers appreciated participation of women voters.
They hoped to make their full report public within two weeks to one month.
“I found (it to be a) very peaceful, free and fair election,” Jim Bates told reporters at a separate media briefing Sunday evening.
"I’d like to say it’s a free and fair election already," he added.
“The thing they keep talking about is low turnout: that’s a misnomer. In some countries, voting goes on till 5/6 pm or even months,” Bates said.
He said Bangladesh has the shortest voting time in the world.
“So when they say ‘low turnout,’ that’s something to manoeuvre the press,” Bates said.
Bates is a former politician who served as a Democratic elected official from San Diego, California. He served four terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1991.
Chandra Arya , Member of Parliament, Canada and Victor Oh, Senator, Canada also briefed the media separately.
The independent election observers from Canada said, "Today the citizens of Bangladesh have exercised their fundamental and valuable right to vote and chose their representatives. Today, in the true spirit of democracy, the people of Bangladesh have determined who get their mandate to take the country forward for the next 5 years."
Read more: Election 2024: Former BNP vice chairman Shahjahan Omar wins from Jhalakathi-1
Chandra Arya said they will now wait to see the newly elected representatives of the people who will shoulder the responsibility of governing the country and deliver the commitments made during the course of the election campaign.
"We noted that even with the call for boycott, a record number of female candidates and a transgender candidate among the 28 political parties and over 1900 candidates including independents contesting the elections," he said.
The observers also noted the efforts of the Bangladesh Election Commission to reach out to voters and specifically to the younger generation to encourage them to participate in the elections.
"We confirmed there was a process within the Bangladesh Election Commission to address any complaints from the voters or the political parties or the candidates," Chandra Arya said.
"We wish to congratulate the Bangladesh Election Commission on successfully conducting a free and fair elections," he added.
"With one of us being an elected Member of Canadian Parliament and having contested and won three times in row, we are personally aware of the complexity of managing an election."
The Canadian observers recognized and commended the excellent work of Bangladesh Election Commission in marshaling all the institutions of the state and delivering a "free, fair and successful" election.
In a separate briefing, Head of the Russian election monitoring delegation, Andrey Y Shuvot, said they are satisfied with the peaceful elections.
These elections are legitimate, he told reporters.
Scottish MP Martyn Day in his brief remarks, said the election was fairly smooth, but voter turnout was relatively low.
Chief Electoral Officer of Palestine Hisham Kuhali on Sunday said Bangladeshis should be proud of electoral procedures that are in place and expressed satisfaction over the smooth completion of the vote casting.
"We noticed quiet and peaceful election. We have not noticed any sign of violence," he told reporters at a media briefing at a Dhaka hotel.
Kuhali said the procedures of casting votes were very simple and straightforward.
"This is very good by international standards," he said, referring to the time it took to cast a vote.
The international observer said people are well informed and well trained who are helping voters to cast their votes.
Asked about the voters' turnout, he said, "We are here to judge the voting procedures. You should be proud of your process."
Member of Arab Parliament Abdihakim Moalliam described the election as "smooth", conducted in a very efficient way.
He appreciated the democratic exercise in Bangladesh, noting that it was a shining example of peace and unity.
The foreign observers visited several centres.
Around 127 foreign observers are currently in Dhaka to observe the 12th National Parliamentary Election.
Read more: Election 2024: China congratulates PM Hasina, says committed to working with her