Bangladesh votes in landmark election after Gen Z revolution

Bangladesh will hold elections on Thursday, February 12, marking a step back toward democracy following the removal of longtime leader Sheikh Hasina in a youth-led uprising in 2024. This election is crucial for the stability of the country, which has a population of 175 million. Analysts believe a clear outcome is necessary for consistent governance, especially after deadly protests against Hasina caused months of chaos and affected major industries, including the garments sector, which is the second-largest exporter globally. This is the first election in the world following a revolution led by people under 30, known as Gen Z, with Nepal set to follow next month. The election features two coalitions led by former partners: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, with polls suggesting the BNP has an advantage. Hasina's Awami League is currently banned, and she is in self-imposed exile in India, allowing China to potentially increase its influence in Bangladesh as relations with India worsen. Unlike past elections, which faced boycotts and intimidation from the opposition, over 2,000 candidates, including many independents, are competing for 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. Voting has been postponed in one area due to a candidate's death. In total, at least 50 parties are participating, setting a national record. “This election is not just another routine vote,” said Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who leads an interim government formed after Hasina's removal. “The public awakening we saw against long-standing anger, inequality, deprivation, and injustice is expressed constitutionally in this election.”