Bangladesh Elections 2024 were conducted on January 7, 2024. During the polls, which saw an abysmal voter turnout of 40 per cent, resulted in a landslide victory for incumbent PM Sheikh Hasina, who returned for a fifth Term.
The polls were conducted amid a general hartal conducted by the opposition who had been demanding the resignation of PM Hasina. The opposition party in Bangladesh have alleged fraud and oppression and sought Sheikh Hasina's resignation for a free and fair election.
In the Dhaka Polls, Awami League won after it crossed by majority mark. The ruling party, led by Sheikh Hasina, won 224 seats out of 299. Independent candidates took 52 seats and the Jatiya party retained 11 seats. Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the main opposition, boycotted the elections.
"The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated," stated Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the US Department of State.
"The United States shares the view with other observers that these elections were not free or fair and we regret that not all parties participated," Miller added further.
Despite its statement, the United States has hoped to keep working with Bangladesh to "advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific".
Sheikh Hasina, who returned to power for a fifth term, retained her title as the longest serving female head of government on Monday. Hasina has been in power since 2009.
