Bangladesh election: It’s a victory of the people, says PM Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has described the just-concluded election as an exceptional one in which the people emerged victorious.

“We wanted to preserve the people’s voting rights and make the election fair so that the voters could freely choose whom they want to be their representatives,” she said in a question-and-answer session with local and foreign election observers at Ganabhaban on Monday (Jan 8).

She said her government has created an example of a free and neutral election. “This election has secured the people’s voting rights… we’ll take the oath of office and form a cabinet following the constitutional process,” Prime Minister Hasina said.

The Awami League won a comfortable two-thirds majority in Sunday’s national election, which will allow the party to form the government for the fourth consecutive term led by Hasina. The BNP boycotted the election and opted for a violent protest to thwart the polls but in vain.

“I’ve seen death up close. The numerous attacks designed to dissuade me from speaking about the people’s rights only bolstered my conviction. I continued to work to ensure basic rights,” she said.

The Awami League chief said that in the new term, her government will prioritise food and nutritional security, further developing the communication system, poverty alleviation, infrastructural development and other remaining works.

Sheikh Hasina, the world’s longest-serving prime minister, said her goal is to build a smart country by 2041 where everyone will live happily in a prosperous country.

“More short-, medium-, and long-term development projects will be undertaken. The neighbouring countries are also helping us.”