Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan predict Sheikh Hasina's triumphant return to power

DHAKA: As polling began, Bangladesh Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan highlighted the importance of elections in the country and expressed confidence in his party's victory in the election, with Sheikh Hasina becoming the PM for the fifth time.

"I am confident (of winning) because we did many things. The people love Sheikh Hasina," he said.

He added, "It's not just important for me; it is important for Bangladesh also. This is the system, how, after five years, will the government change. So after five years, people get the right to change their candidate or change their party."

He also commented on the fact that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party boycotted the general elections and said that the BNP is taking decisions against the people's will.

He stated, "The leadership of the BNP has now become very crucial and they're taking decisions against people's will. BNP other leaders are feeling this thing and they're rightly opposing it."

The minister also affirmed strengthening India-Bangladesh relations and highlighted India's support for Bangladesh.

He said, "We have received support from the inception of Bangladesh...I know what cooperation we received from India. So, we believe that this type of brotherly relationship will continue."

Earlier today, Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina emphasised the importance of democracy for the development of the country as the Asian nation goes to the polls for the 2024 general elections.

"Our country is sovereign and independent...We have a big population. We have established people's democratic rights...I want to make sure that democracy should continue in this country and without democracy, you can't make any development. As we are a long-term democratic system from 2009 to 2023, that is why Bangladesh made this much of an achievement," she said.

Nearly 170 million people in Bangladesh will vote to elect 299 lawmakers during the 12th national election on Sunday amid a boycott by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

PM Hasina also underscored that her government created an atmosphere where people were able to come out and vote.She stated, "My heartfelt thanks to the people of Bangladesh. There were many obstacles but the people of our country are very much aware of their voting rights and the need for polls...We were able to create an atmosphere where people were able to come out and vote."

More than 42,000 polling stations are set for Sunday's elections, where a total of 119.6 million registered voters are eligible to cast their votes, as reported by the country's Election Commission.Women make up almost half of the nearly 120 million eligible voters, while first-time voters number about 15 million.

Al Jazeera reported that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to win a fourth straight term in the absence of the main opposition BNP which on Saturday began a 48-hour nationwide strike against the "illegal government" amidst violence and a crackdown on protesters.

The Supreme Court on December 27 provided clearance for the Election Commission (EC) to proceed with the general elections.

The Election Commission has made thorough arrangements for the upcoming 12th national parliamentary election on January 7 to ensure a peaceful process. As many as 127 foreign observers will track the election process to assess the election's fairness.

International election expert teams from the European Union are present in Dhaka, and foreign observers from various countries, including a Commonwealth team, are monitoring the elections.