Bangladesh to vote in national elections today amid strict security

The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, is boycotting the country’s 12th national election on Sunday, when nearly 170 million people are expected to cast ballots to choose 299 lawmakers. This is because PM Sheikh Hasina has rejected the party’s demand that it step down and allow a caretaker government to oversee the election, according to Al Jazeera. The country’s Election Commission announced that over 42,000 polling places will be open for the elections on Sunday. A total of 119.6 million registered voters are eligible to cast ballots. Of the approximately 120 million eligible voters, women make up nearly half, and approximately 15 million of them are first-time voters.

Al Jazeera reported that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to win a fourth straight term in the absence of the main Opposition BNP which on Saturday began a 48-hour nationwide strike against the “illegal government” amidst violence and a crackdown on protesters, Al Jazeera reported.
The Supreme Court on December 27 provided clearance for the Election Commission (EC) to proceed with the general elections.
Highlighting the security concerns, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has instructed private hospitals and clinics across Bangladesh to keep health services operational and to remain prepared to handle emergencies from Saturday to Wednesday, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
The directive was issued in a letter signed by DGHS Deputy Director Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan.