Hasina takes big lead; Oppn alleges ‘rigging’

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Dhaka: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ruling Awami League party won Sunday’s controversial general election. According to television Channel 24, Hasina’s alliance crossed the 151 seats required to form a government which is compiling results from around the country.
However, the elections were marred by allegations of vote rigging and violence that killed at least 17 people. A third straight term for Awami League was widely expected, but the main opposition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rejected the election and called for a fresh vote in the country of 165 million people.
The Election Commission said it was investigating complaints of rigging, even as at least three voters in southeast Bangladesh, including a journalist, said they were barred from entering polling booths. The EC confirmed that Hasina won Gopanlganj constituency bagging 2,29,539 votes, while her BNP opponent got only 123 votes.
“Allegations are coming from across the country and those are under investigation,” commission spokesman SM Asaduzzaman said. “If we get any confirmation from our own channels then measures will be taken as per rules.”
But as results started coming in showing the Awami League winning a simple majority and one for the BNP, Asaduzzaman declined to comment if its investigation would have any bearing on the final outcome.
Hasina’s party was leading in 151 seats while the BNP was ahead in two, according to TV channels. There are 300 parliamentary constituencies in Bangladesh.
“The election is a mockery with the nation,” BNP secretary-general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said. “This type of election is harmful to the nation. The country has suffered so much through the election.”
Reuters saw a group of 50 women chanting “Sheikh Hasina! Sheikh Hasina!” on a deserted street in Dhaka as poll results started trickling in.
Reporters across the country saw sparse turnout at polling booths. In nine centres Reuters reporters visited in Dhaka, saw posters bearing Awami League’s “boat” symbol far outnumbered those of the opposition.