Awami League won a landslide victory in the 12th Jatiya Sangsad (JS) elections held on Sunday braving all hurdles and challenges.
This is the fourth straight consecutive victory of the party with absolute majority.
Election observers from different countries termed the election free, fair and impartial.
After the victory, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the victory attained by the Awami League in this election is a triumph for the people.
Meanwhile, envoys from different countries staying in Dhaka, including India, Russia and China, on Monday greeted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party Awami League’s absolutely victory, pledging continued support for Bangladesh.
The ruling Awami League has won 222 out of 298 seats, Election Commission officials said while independent candidates bagged 62
seats. Besides, Jatiya Party, the main opposition in parliament, won only
11 seats, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) and Bangladesh Kalyan Party won one each.
Out of 300 constituencies, polls to one constituency – Naogaon-2 – was postponed following the death of independent candidate Aminul Haq in December. EC is yet to announce the result of another constituency as polling of two centres was withheld.
Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal said a total of 41.8 per cent vote was cast in the national election.
This is what the turnout stood at after all calculation was completed, said the CEC while talking to reporters at the Nirbachon Bhaban in the capital’s Agargaon area on Monday.
The CEC also said, “If anyone has any doubts, they can challenge it and check it themselves.”
“The envoys from India, Russia, China, Bhutan, Philippines, Singapore and Sri Lanka met the prime minister at her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital on Monday morning,” said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Md Noorelahi Mina.
Besides, envoys from Nepal, Pakistan, Brazil and Morocco and dean of the diplomatic corps also met the prime minister.
The envoys expressed their firm pledge to continue support to Bangladesh after extending greetings on behalf of their respective countries to the premier.
Sheikh Hasina thanked them and sought help in the journey towards the development and prosperity of her country.
The delegation of Aga Khan Diplomatic Representatives met the premier as well.
Observers coming from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Norway and Japan said Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections were held in a free, fair and impartial manner.
They made their reactions while addressing a ‘Meet the Press’ at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka at on Monday.
They said taking the overall situation into consideration, all the observers reached consensus that Bangladesh's 12th national parliamentary elections were held with the participation of voters in a peaceful way.
“Being divided into three separate groups on Sunday, we visited a total of 20 polling centres in Dhaka and adjoining areas. We talked to the voters at the polling centres and found that they did not face any kind of obstruction,” one of the observers said.
Prime Minister said “It is not a victory for me; rather, it is a victory for the people. This election reflects the fulfilment of the people’s right to form a government and exercise their voting rights – a cause I have long struggled for.”
She made the remarks during a views-exchange with local and foreign journalists and observers on Monday on the occasion of the national election at her official residence Ganabhaban.
“We have set an example that elections can be free, fair, and neutral—you have witnessed,” the Prime Minister told the gathering.
The Premier said the people elected her party by voting for it in this election. Besides, many independent candidates and some contenders from other parties were elected.
“The people of this country elected them by voting spontaneously. We'd taken all sorts of measures to conduct the election in fair manner as you witnessed,” said Hasina.
Pointing at BNP, Hasina said a party didn't participate in the election as they are afraid of contesting the direct election.
“The parties that were born in the hands of military dictators can’t move on their own. They don't have public support. So, they fear the direct election,” she added.
Thanking the foreign observers and journalists for their participation, the prime minister remarked, “I believe that your presence will further fortify the democratic system in our country.”
She said Bangladesh maintains good relations with all its neighbouring countries.
“We maintain good relations with our sneighbours. Our foreign policy is friendship with all and malice towards none.”
