What does the national election mean for the future of Bangladesh?

Bangladesh will hold a national election in February, after years of political turmoil and the ousting of long-time leader Sheikh Hasina. Her rule of more than a decade delivered strong economic growth but was also accompanied by tighter political control and repeated confrontations with protesters.

Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has been banned. This has brought renewed focus on the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s leader Tarique Rahman, who is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, as well as several emerging challengers.

Following years of unrest, the vote is seen as a test of whether Bangladesh can move towards political stability.

This week on The Inquiry, we’re asking: What does the national election mean for the future of Bangladesh?

Contributors:

Shaheen Mamun, Executive Director of the Jargoron Foundation, London, UK

Zia Chowdhury, journalist, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Rounaq Jahan, Distinguished Fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, New Delhi, India

Presenter: Tanya Beckett

Producer: Matt Toulson

Researcher: Evie Yabsley

Editor: Tom Bigwood

Technical Producer: Cameron Ward

Production Management Assistant: Liam Morrey

This programme has been updated since the original broadcast.

(Photo: A woman casting her ballot during the 2024 national election in Bangladesh. Credit: Ahmed Salahuddin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)