2008 Bangladeshi general election

On 11 December, Bangladesh Awami League formed a coalition with the Jatiya Party led by Hussain Muhammad Ershad once deposed through mass uprising. The coalition included some other minor parties. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, BNP in short, continued with its alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami formed for the national election of 2001 to participate in the 2008 election. If Jatiyo Party wins more than 35 seats, it will be able to negotiate a better deal with Awami League on sharing of power and in forming government.

The BNP-Jamat led coalition government attempted to run an election in 2006. Awami League and other parties arranged various processions and strikes, protesting that the election result was pre-arranged in the government's favour. In course of time the clash between the Government and Opposition became very violent and in the Care-taker Government's period violence engulfed the nation. The President proclaimed his authority as the chief of the Care-Taker Government and eventually had to fall to the demand of the people. With the intervention of the Army the President had to resign from his Chief-Advisor's post and Fakhruddin Ahmed was appointed as the new chief adviser.[6] The media referred to Ahmed's government as "military-backed".[7][8][9] The military-controlled government worked on a minus-two formula which meant ousting Hasina and Zia, who were two popular political leaders of the country. While all political activities were suspended under the state of emergency, the government ployed to recast the political system of the country with people of high national and international stature. In accordance with this plan, Nobel Peace Prize-winner Muhammad Yunus announced the foundation of a new party called Citizens' Power.[10] However, soon Yunus rejected entering politics, claiming a lack of support.

Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (2014)

On 5 April 2007, the country's Chief Election Commissioner, ATM Shamsul Huda, declared that the elections would need to be pushed back at least eighteen months.[11] On 12 April, Ahmed announced in a televised speech to the nation that the next parliamentary election would be held before the end of 2008.[12] On 15 July 2007, the Bangladesh Election Commission published a road map for the election, promising a compilation of voter lists by October 2008 and an official election call before the end of that year.[13] The constitution of Bangladesh, however, provides holding election within 120 days of the formation of a caretaker government.

After the election, the Jatiyo Sangshad will have to elect the next President of Bangladesh. The presidential election should have taken place by 5 September 2007 when Iajuddin Ahmed's term expired. But the election was postponed as the Constitution of Bangladesh permits to delay the presidential election until a new Jatiyo Sangshad is formed.[14] On 9 September 2007, President Ahmed addressed the nation and recalled indoor politics with strict conditions to facilitate preparation for the election and reaffirmed his commitment to hold the election on time or earlier.[15] In early October, the Chief Election Commissioner Huda stated elections could be held by October 2008 if the electoral roll could be compiled by July 2008.[16]

Talks between the government and two smaller parties started on 22 May 2008, with the government indicating it would hold talks with all parties in short time.[17] However, both the Awami League and the BNP declined to attend these talks as long as their leaders were still detained.[18] Voters lists were announced to be ready on 22 July 2008.[19]

On 4 August 2008, mayor and city council elections were held in Sylhet, Khulna, Barisal and Rajshahi cities.[20] BBC News reported that the candidates supported by the Awami League won twelve of the thirteen city corporations and municipalities voting, according to election commission officials.[20] Finally, Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed announced on 21 September that the general election would be held on 18 December.[21]

Election banners of candidates promoted across many cities in Bangladesh

The BNP called for a delay of the election until January 2009, while the Awami League was against such a delay. As a compromise, the election was postponed from 18 to 29 December.[22] In a response to the demand of the major political parties, on 17 December 2008, the two-year-long state of emergency was lifted.[23]

Notably, as of 20 December, as many as 35 prospective candidates were allowed by the High Court of the country to contest in the election notwithstanding a contrary decision of the Election Commission. A winner among them will lose a seat in the parliament if the Supreme Court of Bangladesh turns down the High Court decision.

The voter turnout of 80 percent was the highest in the history of Bangladeshi elections.[25][26] This was the first time elections used national ID cards with photographs to avoid fake voting, which was an UN-funded initiative to create a digital electoral roll.[27][28] Prior to the elections, 11 million false names were removed from the voter lists.[29]

About 50,000 soldiers of Bangladeshi Army and 600,000 police officers were deployed to guard against election fraud and violence.[29] However, two people were killed in post election violence.[30] 200,000 electoral observers, including 2,500 from outside Bangladesh, monitored the elections and confirmed their free and fair nature. Before the elections, the army-backed caretaker government took measures to eliminate corruption from the process.

• Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh congratulated Sheikh Hasina on the landslide victory. Singh conveyed the message "I look forward to working with you towards this end for the mutual benefit of our two people".[31] India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said, "I do hope that once the new government comes, we will discuss the existence of the problem (terrorism emanating from Bangladesh) with them and we will see what best can be done".[32] Other political parties of India, such as Bhartiya Janata Party, Trinamool Congress and CPI(M) also congratulated Sheikh Hasina.[33][34]
• President of United States George W. Bush phoned Sheikh Hasina and congratulated her on assuming the office of Prime Minister of Bangladesh. President Bush, who made the phone call at 6:40 pm Bangladesh time on 11 January, termed Hasina's success in the parliamentary election a "landslide victory", an official handout said. He said the verdict of the people of Bangladesh to establish non-communal democracy is notable. Prime Minister Hasina thanked the US President on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh and her party. She said the support and cooperation of the US, along with other countries, toward holding a free, fair and neutral election in Bangladesh was commendable. The principal enemy of Bangladeshi people was poverty, she said and hoped for US cooperation to build a poverty-free Bangladesh. The Prime Minister told the US President that terrorism was one of the main problems in South Asia. She stressed the need for taking an effective joint initiative to fight terrorism in the region.[35]
• The British prime minister Gordon Brown congratulated Sheikh Hasina on the election victory and her swearing-in as Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, said a release of the British High Commission in Dhaka. Brown said, 'My congratulations on your victory. The UK values its close ties with Bangladesh and we look forward to working with your government to help you meet the expectations of your people. I hope that you will work with all parties to create a brighter future for Bangladesh.

The UK's secretary of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs David Miliband, in the statement, urged the ruling party and the opposition to work together for nation building, shunning politics of confrontation and violence. "The Election Commission, caretaker government and observers have worked hard to create conditions in which free, fair and peaceful elections can take place. "The people of Bangladesh have spoken in huge numbers and they can be proud of the manner in which the elections were conducted", Miliband said in a statement released by the local British high commission. "This is a historic moment for Bangladesh to cast aside the politics of confrontation and violence, in favour of inclusive and consensual democracy", he added. Terming Britain as Bangladesh's friend, he said, "We urge the next government and opposition to work together to meet the expectations of the people in the days and years to come." Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, also greeted Sheikh Hasina for becoming Prime Minister of Bangladesh.[36][37]

• German Chancellor Angela Merkel has congratulated newly elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In a message of felicitation, the chancellor said she looks forward to further developing the relationship of trust and cooperation between Bangladesh and Germany, reports UNB. Merkel said Germany will continue to be a reliable partner of Bangladesh as it works to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and human rights.[38]
• Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has congratulated Sheikh Hasina on her assumption of office of the Prime Minister, expressing the hope that a comprehensive partnership between Dhaka and Beijing would be raised to a new level, reports UNB. In a message of felicitation, Jiabao said Bangladesh and China are intimate and friendly close neighbours. He said since establishment of diplomatic relations 34 years ago, the two countries always maintain mutual understanding, trust and support to each other, and developed fruitful cooperation in every field. This cooperation, he said, has brought substantial benefits to the people of both the countries and made positive contributions to regional peace and development. The Chinese premier said through the joint efforts with Prime Minister Hasina bilateral relations as well as friendship and mutual cooperation would be strengthened further. In a separate message of felicitation to Foreign Minister Dr Dipumoni, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said it is the unswerving policy of the Chinese government to consistently strengthen and solidify friendly cooperation between China and Bangladesh.[39]
• The Japanese foreign minister, Hirofumi Nakasone and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in a statement offered felicitations on the Awami League president, Sheikh Hasina's inauguration as the country's next prime minister, said a release of the Japan embassy. He said, ‘The government of Japan congratulates on the inauguration of her Excellency, Sheikh Hasina, president of the AL, as prime minister of Bangladesh on 6 January 2009, following the general elections on 29 December 2008.’Nakasone said that this election was successfully carried out despite various challenges.‘This elucidates that the consolidation of democracy in Bangladesh is making a steady progress, marking a right start of a new democracy in Bangladesh,’ he said. The Japanese foreign minister said, ‘Japan hopes that the people of Bangladesh will be united in making efforts for further developments of their country under the new prime minister elected in a democratic process. Japan will continue to support their endeavour.’[37]
• President of the Swiss Confederation Hans-Rudolf Merz greeted new Bangla-deshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina .In a message to Hasina, the Swiss president, on behalf of the Swiss Federal Council, expressed his sincere congratulation and wished her every success in the eminent post. The message noted that "the recent elections are an important milestone in the history of Bangladesh. On this special occasion, the Swiss government reiterates its commitment to continue its support to the democratic, social and economic development in Bangladesh."[38]
• Australia welcomed Bangladesh's return to democracy after around two years following what it observed were 'peaceful and orderly' polls. "Australia encourages all parties to work together to ensure a smooth transition and a strong future for the people of Bangladesh", the Australian high commission said in a press statement yesterday. "The Australian government looks forward to working closely with the newly-elected government in areas of mutual interest." "These include trade and investment, development assistance, counter-terrorism, education, migration and tourism", said the statement.
• President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday sent congratulations to Sheikh Hasina Wajid on her victory. President Zardari expressed confidence that the close brotherly relations between the two countries would be strengthened further under her leadership. The prime minister said: "We wish you every success and the brotherly people of Bangladesh ever greater progress and prosperity."[40]
• Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" in a message of congratulation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina noted that the recent elections in Bangladesh had ushered in a democratic governance and overwhelming people's support Hasina's party reflects their expectations to feel the real change. In this context, he said both Nepal and Bangladesh have similar experiences as the Nepali people have also displayed their keenness to build a new prosperous Nepal through the election of Constituent Assembly held last April. He said Nepal and Bangladesh can work together for achieving goals to consolidate bilateral relations and hoped that relations between the two countries would be further strengthened during the term of Sheikh Hasina.[36]
• Prime Minister of Mauritius Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam yesterday greeted Bangladesh's Premier Sheikh Hasina on the decisive victory by the Awami League-led grand alliance in the 29 December polls."I'm confident that under your leadership, the people of Bangladesh will realise their long cherished aspirants to make progress in a secular and democratic state-- a dream personified by your illustrious father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman," the Mauritius PM said in a letter of felicitation to Hasina. Navinchandra said Mauritius and Bangladesh have endeavoured over the years to strengthen ties and friendship between the two countries.[38]
• Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon, in a message on Thursday, extended his greeting to Sheikh Hasina for taking over as Bangladesh prime minister. The UN chief also hailed the people of Bangladesh for holding the national election in a peaceful manner for democratic transition. He appreciated the initiatives of Hasina for working together with all political parties to consolidate parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh, according to a press release. Ban Ki-moon appreciated Bangladesh as some 9,000 Bangladeshi army and police personnel have taken part in various activities of the United Nations, particularly in the peacekeeping missions. The UN chief wished success of the Bangladesh's new prime minister and assured her of all-out cooperation.[38]
• U.S. State Department congratulated the Bangladesh Election Commission and government officials on the successful election.[41] A statement issued stated high voter turnout underscores the people's desire to see democracy restored.[42]
• Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, European Union's chief election observer said "voting has largely been peaceful, turnout has been high and procedures were followed adequately".[28]

The military-controlled caretaker government with Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed as the Chief Adviser handed over power to the new government formed with Ms Sheikh Hasina as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 6 January 2009.