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Bangladesh's 2024 Elections Amid Rising Violence

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  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. adesh-s-2024-elections-amid-rising-violence.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 23rd 2025 at 4:45 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Bangladesh’s Turbulent Electoral Road Ahead – A Summary of MoneyControl’s Coverage

MoneyControl’s feature on Bangladesh’s 2024 general elections highlights a country that is, for the first time in a decade, grappling with widespread violence and a growing international concern over the integrity of its democratic process. The article, titled “China avoids criticism as Bangladesh reels from violence – Under Yunus calls for safe, stable polls”, is a concise yet comprehensive recap of the situation on the ground, the political actors involved, and the diplomatic tightrope that China, a key development partner, is walking.

1. The Context – Bangladesh’s Decade‑Long Political Instability

Bangladesh’s 2024 parliamentary elections are scheduled for January 11, but the electoral calendar has been shadowed by a series of clashes between the ruling Awami League (AL) and opposition parties—most notably the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Jatiya Party. The government’s hard‑line stance on opposition protests, coupled with a police force that has been accused of using excessive force, has turned what should be a routine democratic exercise into a battleground.

The article reminds readers that the political climate has been tense for years. Sheikh Hasina’s 14th‑year government has been accused of stifling dissent, and the opposition has been met with intimidation ranging from arbitrary arrests to violent confrontations at rallies. This backdrop sets the stage for the current spike in violence.

2. Recent Escalations – Violence, Voter Suppression, and Human Rights Concerns

Over the past two months, the MoneyControl piece details more than 25 reported deaths linked to election‑related incidents, according to local media and eyewitness accounts. These include attacks on polling booths, bombings at opposition rallies, and the alleged shooting of opposition cadres by security forces. The numbers are likely an under‑report, as the article notes that many incidents go unrecorded due to fear of reprisals.

Human rights groups such as the International Crisis Group have called for an independent inquiry into these killings. The article also quotes a UN Human Rights Council report that criticizes Bangladesh for “repressive measures that threaten the safety of voters and poll officials alike.”

One of the key voices in the piece is Dr. Muhammad Yun — a Nobel‑Prize‑winning economist, a former chairman of the Bangladesh Bank, and a vocal advocate for fair elections. Yun, who was not involved in the day‑to‑day political process, has repeatedly called for “safe and stable polls” in a statement released on January 3. He emphasizes that “elections should not be a battlefield; they are a manifestation of democracy.”

3. China’s Diplomatic Posture – Support Without Criticism

One of the article’s most intriguing angles is China’s approach to the crisis. The Chinese embassy in Dhaka released a statement on January 5, praising Bangladesh’s commitment to maintaining stability while expressing “deep concern” over the rising violence. However, the statement stops short of calling out the government or condemning the suppression of opposition.

The article notes that China has invested heavily in Bangladesh through the Belt and Road Initiative, funding projects such as the Chittagong Multi‑Modal Logistics Hub and the Dhaka‑Bimanjhan Expressway. This economic partnership gives Beijing a vested interest in a stable Bangladesh, but the article also points out that China’s hands remain firmly in the “do‑not‑interfere” box when it comes to domestic politics.

The piece quotes a Chinese diplomat—referred to as “Mr. Zhang”—who said that “China respects each country’s sovereignty and will not meddle in internal affairs.” This statement has been met with criticism from opposition parties, who argue that China’s silence effectively tacitly endorses the ruling party’s heavy‑handed tactics.

4. International Reaction – A Mixed Response

MoneyControl’s coverage does not stop at China. The article also references statements from the United Nations, the European Union, and the United States. The EU’s External Action Service released a communique calling for “peaceful elections” and “respect for human rights.” Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department’s Press Release on January 6 urged the Bangladeshi government to “ensure a free, fair, and transparent election process” and “protect the safety of all voters.”

However, these statements, while rhetorical, have had limited practical impact. The article stresses that Bangladesh’s ruling coalition remains largely unshaken by international pressure, partly due to the strategic importance of the country to major powers.

5. The Path Forward – What’s Needed for Peaceful Elections

Towards the end of the article, the author offers a concise list of steps that Bangladesh could take to mitigate violence and restore confidence in the electoral process:

1. Independent Electoral Commission: A truly autonomous body to oversee voter registration, polling logistics, and the counting of ballots.
2. Reforms in Policing: Training of police officers in crowd control and human‑rights standards.
3. Judicial Oversight: A special court to handle all election‑related complaints swiftly and transparently.
4. International Observation: Deployment of observers from the Commonwealth, the EU, and the OSCE to monitor polling stations.
5. Dialogue with Opposition: Inclusion of opposition parties in a confidence‑building dialogue that addresses security concerns and campaign fairness.

The article stresses that failure to implement these reforms risks a repeat of the 2009 riots, which saw hundreds of casualties and led to a temporary shutdown of the capital’s transport network.

6. Concluding Remarks

MoneyControl’s piece is a timely reminder that democracy is not just about the numbers on the ballot, but about the safety and dignity of those who cast them. While China’s economic engagement with Bangladesh has brought tangible infrastructure gains, the diplomatic community’s reluctance to confront the violence threatens to undermine the very democratic fabric that the country is supposed to celebrate. In the end, the call from Dr. Yun and other voices is clear: a safe, stable, and fair poll is not merely a political necessity—it is a moral imperative for a nation that has long striven to balance the forces of progress and tradition.

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