"Standing in a long queue at a government school in the capital Dhaka, Hasan Hoque, a former teacher, laughs and chats with a group of men who just arrived to cast their ballots. It's been a while standing in this line, but nothing matches the feeling of casting my own vote. It feels like a festival, Hoque told Al Jazeera, smiling."
"The last time he voted was in 2008 the year former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina returned to power and allegedly rigged subsequent elections until her autocratic 15-year regime was challenged by a student-led uprising in 2024, toppling her government and forcing her into exile in India. The elections we had after 2008 were farcical and one-sided under Awami League, Hoque said,"
Millions of people in Bangladesh turned out to vote in parliamentary elections and a referendum on the July Charter. Voters described the experience as festive and emotional, with many casting ballots for the first time since 2008. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regained power in 2008 and allegedly rigged subsequent elections, leading to a 15-year period of autocratic rule that a 2024 student-led uprising toppled and forced her into exile. The Awami League was barred from the election after the uprising. The July Charter proposes sweeping constitutional reforms designed to prevent future authoritarian rule and restore democratic rights and freedoms.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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