Bangladesh election delivers PM historic fifth term
The people of Bangladesh are voting in an election today that's been labelled a sham by pro-democracy activists. The country's main opposition has boycotted the poll after a crackdown on protestors and the disappearance of some politicians. The government is being accused of a brutal campaign against dissenters, but prime minister Sheikh Hasina is on the brink of a fourth term in office
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TVTranscript
00:00 Bangladesh is off to the polls, but the result seems a foregone conclusion.
00:07 Our Prime Minister will be re-elected again, even a storm can't stop her.
00:17 There's one notable thing missing - an opposition.
00:23 This is a one-sided election, you can't clap with one hand.
00:27 A boycott of the election by the government's main opposition all but guarantees another
00:32 sweep to power for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
00:35 For decades, politics in the country has been dominated by rival dynasties, led by Prime
00:41 Minister Hasina and former PM Khaleda Zia.
00:44 Zia's currently on house arrest, fighting what she says are trumped-up corruption charges.
00:50 People don't accept authoritarian regimes, that's what exactly this government is.
00:56 The opposition BNP claims the government has taken control of the Electoral Commission,
01:02 so it's decided to opt out.
01:04 And so-called independent candidates have joined the fray.
01:08 If I win the seat, I will work for the welfare of the people.
01:14 But the opposition claims candidates like Ms Dunhi are dummies, intended to legitimise
01:20 a one-party contest.
01:22 And it doesn't help that the independent is still a local member of the ruling party.
01:27 I'm still a part of the Awami League.
01:32 I'm contesting and the party doesn't have any issues.
01:35 Tensions are escalating here in the city's capital.
01:39 Just hours before the start of a two-day strike designed to boycott the elections, a train
01:45 was set on fire here, killing four people.
01:49 Authorities say the incident was designed to intimidate voters ahead of the election,
01:55 but have stopped short of naming those responsible.
01:59 Violent protests have also intensified, with almost 10,000 opposition activists arrested
02:05 since late October, and some politicians going missing.
02:09 But the ruling party believes the elections are free and fair.
02:16 There are no restrictions to participate in elections.
02:19 There is no need to boycott or withdraw.
02:23 Despite the assurances, there are no prizes for guessing the winner of this contest.
02:28 [BLANK_AUDIO]