Distinguished Professor Ali Riaz was quoted by Aljazeera, Voice of America, and BBC on the election in Bangladesh and post-election international reactions. He also published a commentary on the future trajectory of Bangladeshi politics.
Riaz was quoted in a report by Aljazeera English on the reactions of various countries to the contentious Bangladesh election held January 7, 2024. The election, which delivered a victory to Sheikh Hasina and her party for the fourth consecutive time, is considered by Western countries as not free and fair. India, China, and Russia have welcomed the results. Riaz told Aljazeera that the West “will face a serious dilemma,” going forward.
“Bangladesh is becoming a de facto one-party state,” Riaz said. The government, he added, will “adopt more repressive measures, try to decimate any kind of opposition through legal and extra-legal measures.”
Riaz reiterated the point in a Voice of America (VOA) Bangla service report. Riaz said in a BBC report that the election has not ended the contest between global powers in Bangladesh.
Riaz also published a commentary on the trajectory of the post-election political situation of Bangladesh. The commentary titled “The Election in Bangladesh: What Happened and What Is in the Making?” was published by the National Bureau of Asian Research. Riaz wrote: “The coming months will be crucial for Bangladesh as the downward spiral toward a one-party state is likely to accelerate, economic conditions may worsen, disenfranchised citizens may become restive, and opposition parties facing an existential threat may take to the streets. Despite the West’s acceptance of the results as a fait accompli, considering China’s growing influence, tensions will continue.”
