As the voting for Bangladesh general elections got underway today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed her best wishes to India, underlining the valuable friendship shared between the two Asian countries.
PN Hasina specifically highlighted India’s support during the crucial Liberation War in 1971, acknowledging its enduring importance for Bangladesh.
In her message to India, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, ”We are very lucky…India is our trusted friend. During our Liberation War, they supported us…After 1975, when we lost our whole family…they gave us shelter. So our best wishes to the people of India.
The Bangladeshi PM recounted the tragic events of her family’s massacre in 1975, where her whole family was killed, leading her to live in exile in India for several years. Upon her return to Bangladesh, she assumed leadership of the Awami League.
After casting her vote in the ongoing general elections, Hasina emphasised the importance of democracy for the development of the country on Sunday and said that her government in past years has established people’s democratic rights.
“Our country is sovereign and independent…We have a big population. We have established people’s democratic rights…I want to make sure that democracy should continue in this country and without democracy, you can’t make any development. As we are a long-term democratic system from 2009 to 2023, that is why Bangladesh made this much of an achievement,” she said.
PM Hasina also underscored that her government created an atmosphere where people are able to come out and vote.
She stated, “My heartfelt thanks to the people of Bangladesh. There were many obstacles but the people of our country are very much aware of their voting rights and the need for polls…We were able to create an atmosphere where people were able to come out and vote.”
She also accused the Bangladesh opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of inciting violence in the country and said that they are against the development of the people.
“BNP and Jamat did several arsoning and various other violent activities, such as burning train, burning vehicle, stopping people’s movement…I would say that they do not believe in democracy, they are not patriots, and they are against the development of the people. Moreover, they don’t want democracy to continue.”, PM Hasina stated.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister on Sunday also reiterated the significance of democracy for the country’s advancement.
“Our country is sovereign and independent. We have a big population. We have established people’s democratic rights…I want to make sure that democracy should continue in this country and without democracy, you can’t make any development. As we are a long-term democratic system from 2009 to 2023, that is why Bangladesh made this much of an achievement,” she said.
Nearly 170 million people in Bangladesh will vote to elect 299 lawmakers during the 12th national election amid a boycott by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, demanding Hasina’s resignation.
The electoral process is underway with over 42,000 polling stations catering to 119.6 million registered voters, including almost half women and around 15 million first-time voters.
International election expert teams, including representatives from the European Union and foreign observers from various countries, including the Commonwealth, are in Dhaka monitoring the elections to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral process.
