02 January 2019, Dhaka

On Sunday 30 December 2018, Bangladesh witnessed a landslide victory of the ruling Awami League led Grand Alliance in the 11th Parliamentary elections. Together, the Grand Alliance won 288 of 350 seats in parliament, of which 259 seats will belong to the Awami League.

Polling was accompanied by 175 foreign observers, who stated that the elections were well planned by the Election Commission and conducted in a lighthearted atmosphere. Aariz Aftab, Chief Electoral Officer of West Bengal, India, said ‘there was calm, serene and ambience in the polling stations’ and added that ‘a lot of gaiety was visible’. Tania Dawn Foster, an observer from Canada, described her impressions from five polling stations as a demonstration that ‘voters are feeling empowered and enthusiastic about being able to come and vote.’ She noted that the polling took place in a safe and orderly environment thanks to the great efforts of public officers and officials.

The South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF) urges the defeated forces not to hide their lack of electoral support behind arguments of alleged irregularities. We call on the new opposition to respect the democratic will of the Bangladeshi people and to refrain from resorting to any form of violence.

SADF congratulates Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League for winning these free and fair elections. We also congratulate the Election Commission and the people of Bangladesh for conducting these elections in a well-planned and orderly fashion.

SADF wishes all the best to the incoming Parliament and authorities and that they may keep working towards a bright future for the people of Bangladesh.