Opposition members of Bangladesh's parliament boycotted a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, after rejecting results of a general election that they said was rigged to give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina her third straight term.

Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90 per cent of the seats contested in Sunday's election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence that killed at least 17 people.

Hasina and her ruling Awami League party have dismissed the accusations.

While all 291 newly elected members of parliament, including Hasina, from the ruling bloc were sworn in, the seven opposition members stayed away.

They must take their oath within three months or forfeit their seats.

Leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could not immediately be reached for comment.

The BNP sent a letter to the government on Wednesday seeking permission to meet their leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February on what they call trumped-up charges.

On Thursday, New York-based Human Rights Watch said the run-up to the vote was characterised by "violence and intimidation against the opposition ... and the misuse of laws to limit free speech".

It called for an independent and impartial investigation of the accusations of electoral abuses.

"Reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, and ruling party control of voting locations on election day mean that an independent and impartial commission should be formed to determine the extent of the violations," Brad Adams, Asia director at the rights group, said in a statement.

The western government, including the United State and the European Union, have condemned the election-day violence and called for an investigation of a range of irregularities.

Hasina said after the results came out that the vote was largely peaceful and voters had taken part enthusiastically.

The BNP has said its workers were being attacked across the country by Awami League activists. The ruling party has denied the charges.

Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Khaleda.

Khaleda was First Lady when her husband, Ziaur Rahman, was president from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1981.

Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90 per cent of the seats contested in Sunday's election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence that killed at least 17 people.

Opposition members of Bangladesh's parliament boycotted a swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, after rejecting results of a general election that they said was rigged to give Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina her third straight term. Hasina's ruling alliance won more than 90 per cent of the seats contested in Sunday's election, which was marred by accusations of ballot stuffing, voter intimidation and violence that killed at least 17 people. Hasina and her ruling Awami League party have dismissed the accusations. While all 291 newly elected members of parliament, including Hasina, from the ruling bloc were sworn in, the seven opposition members stayed away. They must take their oath within three months or forfeit their seats. Leaders of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could not immediately be reached for comment. The BNP sent a letter to the government on Wednesday seeking permission to meet their leader, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has been in jail since February on what they call trumped-up charges. On Thursday, New York-based Human Rights Watch said the run-up to the vote was characterised by "violence and intimidation against the opposition ... and the misuse of laws to limit free speech". It called for an independent and impartial investigation of the accusations of electoral abuses. "Reports of ballot stuffing, intimidation of voters, and ruling party control of voting locations on election day mean that an independent and impartial commission should be formed to determine the extent of the violations," Brad Adams, Asia director at the rights group, said in a statement. The western government, including the United State and the European Union, have condemned the election-day violence and called for an investigation of a range of irregularities. Hasina said after the results came out that the vote was largely peaceful and voters had taken part enthusiastically. The BNP has said its workers were being attacked across the country by Awami League activists. The ruling party has denied the charges. Hasina, whose father, state founder Mujibur Rahman, was assassinated in a coup in 1975, has alternated in and out of power for nearly three decades with her main rival, BNP leader Khaleda. Khaleda was First Lady when her husband, Ziaur Rahman, was president from 1977 until he was assassinated in 1981.

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For Kamal Hossain, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an autocrat who has betrayed the legacy of her independence hero father.

The 82-year-old former friend of Bangladesh’s first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman heads an alliance opposing Hasina’s bid for a historic fourth term in a general election Sunday.

Hossain accuses Hasina’s Awami League party of trampling over Bangladesh’s hard-won democratic freedoms by locking up and attacking opposition activists in a bid to rig the poll.

Speaking to WION, he said, "My only protest is against the current course of politics. We are in support of democracy. East Bengal was the first place to give the vote for democracy. All of us Bengalis believe in democracy. I cannot understand why this govt cannot understand this thing."

Pointing out at issues with Sheikh Hasina, he said, "It's not between Sheikh Hasina and me. It's the politics. It's all about money and muscle. We want to keep alive the politics that Bangladesh has been all about, which is values and not acquiring more money and more &nbsp;muscle."

"There was a lot of tussle in the party over monetary issues. They were in support of putting weapons in the pockets of the boys at the party and I was against all of this. I will never use the money for politics and vice versa. I'm 80 now. People so much younger have come into politics. I thought I will stay back and guide. Even before I was never committed to politics whole time. I was into teaching and law. The worst thing today is how many lakhs can you give up. Earlier it was lakhs, now its crores'," he added.

To a question about the relationship with India, he answered, "I worked with India closely. Especially with Indira Gandhi and Sardar Swaran Singh. We signed the land boundary agreement. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman asked for a hill station, you have Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Shillong. Ministers seemed perturbed. Then everyone burst out laughing."&nbsp;

Kamal Hossain had also served as a UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan from 1998-2003.

"The main weapon given to Taliban was corruption. Taliban is taking full advantage of this. Latest is the US pulling out troops. Pakistan is also involved in this who can be only dealt with by the US. A person like Trump has no understanding of anything. He thinks he can do all kinds of gimmicks and he is hurting Afghanistan. Although India does not have direct borders with Afghanistan, India has a vital interest in Afghanistan and so has entire South Asia," he said on the present situation of Afghanistan.

Hossain, a lawyer, was Bangladesh’s first law minister following independence from Pakistan in 1971 and headed the committee that drew up a constitution the following year.

(With inputs from AFP)

For Kamal Hossain, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an autocrat who has betrayed the legacy of her independence hero father. The 82-year-old former friend of Bangladesh’s first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman heads an alliance opposing Hasina’s bid for a historic fourth term in a general election Sunday.

For Kamal Hossain, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an autocrat who has betrayed the legacy of her independence hero father. The 82-year-old former friend of Bangladesh’s first president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman heads an alliance opposing Hasina’s bid for a historic fourth term in a general election Sunday. Hossain accuses Hasina’s Awami League party of trampling over Bangladesh’s hard-won democratic freedoms by locking up and attacking opposition activists in a bid to rig the poll. Speaking to WION, he said, "My only protest is against the current course of politics. We are in support of democracy. East Bengal was the first place to give the vote for democracy. All of us Bengalis believe in democracy. I cannot understand why this govt cannot understand this thing." Pointing out at issues with Sheikh Hasina, he said, "It's not between Sheikh Hasina and me. It's the politics. It's all about money and muscle. We want to keep alive the politics that Bangladesh has been all about, which is values and not acquiring more money and more muscle." "There was a lot of tussle in the party over monetary issues. They were in support of putting weapons in the pockets of the boys at the party and I was against all of this. I will never use the money for politics and vice versa. I'm 80 now. People so much younger have come into politics. I thought I will stay back and guide. Even before I was never committed to politics whole time. I was into teaching and law. The worst thing today is how many lakhs can you give up. Earlier it was lakhs, now its crores'," he added. To a question about the relationship with India, he answered, "I worked with India closely. Especially with Indira Gandhi and Sardar Swaran Singh. We signed the land boundary agreement. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman asked for a hill station, you have Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Shillong. Ministers seemed perturbed. Then everyone burst out laughing." Kamal Hossain had also served as a UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan from 1998-2003. "The main weapon given to Taliban was corruption. Taliban is taking full advantage of this. Latest is the US pulling out troops. Pakistan is also involved in this who can be only dealt with by the US. A person like Trump has no understanding of anything. He thinks he can do all kinds of gimmicks and he is hurting Afghanistan. Although India does not have direct borders with Afghanistan, India has a vital interest in Afghanistan and so has entire South Asia," he said on the present situation of Afghanistan. Hossain, a lawyer, was Bangladesh’s first law minister following independence from Pakistan in 1971 and headed the committee that drew up a constitution the following year. (With inputs from AFP)

It's not between Sheikh Hasina and me, it's about politics of value: Kamal Hossain to WION

Merely four days before the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-election-violence-youths-carrying-awami-league-banner-attack-bnp-candidate-186668">11th General Elections</a>, the Jatiya Oikya Front here has called for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) resignation, accusing him of bias.&nbsp;

This comes in the aftermath of a delegation belonging to the alliance walking out of a meeting with the CEC, KM Nurul Huda, on December 25 over the latter`s "discourteous" behaviour.

"When we began to complain about the police role, he [CEC] took their side. We Don`t expect such behaviour" The Daily Star quoted Nazrul Islam Khan from the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/how-bangladesh-election-results-will-impact-its-ties-with-india-186618">Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)</a> as saying.&nbsp;

Furthermore, BNP`s Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "His behaviour was discourteous," while referring to the CEC.&nbsp;

The alliance later called a presser on Tuesday night and demanded the CEC`s resignation and pushed for the appointment of a "neutral person" so that a free and fair election is conducted.&nbsp;

Kamal Hossain led the Front`s delegation at the meeting yesterday and put forth their concerns regarding the violence against leaders and party workers from the opposition in the run-up to Sunday`s elections.&nbsp;

He also complained about police action and mentioned that a few members from the police forces were acting like "beasts".

"You cannot label a force in such a way. Whatever police are doing are within the legal framework. Who do you think you are?" the CEC told Hossain in response.&nbsp;

The opposition front also called for the withdrawal of four police officials during Tuesday`s meeting.&nbsp;

Furthermore, it also claimed that the police refused to give them protection in the wake of violence initiated against them by rival parties.&nbsp;

The CEC rejected all allegations against the police forces, leading to the walk-out and the subsequent demand for resignation.&nbsp;

Merely four days before the 11th General Elections, the Jatiya Oikya Front here has called for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) resignation, accusing him of bias.

Merely four days before the 11th General Elections, the Jatiya Oikya Front here has called for the Chief Election Commissioner's (CEC) resignation, accusing him of bias. This comes in the aftermath of a delegation belonging to the alliance walking out of a meeting with the CEC, KM Nurul Huda, on December 25 over the latter`s "discourteous" behaviour. "When we began to complain about the police role, he [CEC] took their side. We Don`t expect such behaviour" The Daily Star quoted Nazrul Islam Khan from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) as saying. Furthermore, BNP`s Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "His behaviour was discourteous," while referring to the CEC. The alliance later called a presser on Tuesday night and demanded the CEC`s resignation and pushed for the appointment of a "neutral person" so that a free and fair election is conducted. Kamal Hossain led the Front`s delegation at the meeting yesterday and put forth their concerns regarding the violence against leaders and party workers from the opposition in the run-up to Sunday`s elections. He also complained about police action and mentioned that a few members from the police forces were acting like "beasts". "You cannot label a force in such a way. Whatever police are doing are within the legal framework. Who do you think you are?" the CEC told Hossain in response. The opposition front also called for the withdrawal of four police officials during Tuesday`s meeting. Furthermore, it also claimed that the police refused to give them protection in the wake of violence initiated against them by rival parties. The CEC rejected all allegations against the police forces, leading to the walk-out and the subsequent demand for resignation.

Bangladesh poll: Opposition calls for CEC KM Nurul Huda's resignation

An octogenarian former comrade of Bangladesh <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-opposition-to-challenge-pm-hasina-in-election-176659">Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina</a>'s father in the country's independence struggle is now the face of an embattled opposition seeking to end her decade-long rule increasingly tainted by accusations of authoritarianism.

The 82-year-old Kamal Hossain said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that his decision to forge an alliance with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was critical to restoring democracy in the country.

Hossain is an Oxford-educated international jurist who drafted the country's constitution - and whom Hasina grew up calling "kaka", or uncle. He will be fighting to wrest away power from Hasina's ruling Awami League in a general election due by December 30.

Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is the longest-serving leader in its short history. She began a second straight term in power in 2014, after an election boycotted by the BNP and shunned by international observers, with more than half the seats uncontested.

"What has happened in the last five years is unprecedented," Hossain said. "We've never had a government which has been around for five years without elections."

The BNP's participation in the December 30 election was in doubt until last month, when it and three other parties announced the formation of a new alliance, the Jatiya Oikya Front, or National Unity Front, helmed by Hossain.

Hossain had said he was not seeking to become prime minister as he is too old. But some in the coalition, he said, privately compare him to Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian prime minister who took power earlier this year at age 92.

An octogenarian former comrade of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's father in the country's independence struggle is now the face of an embattled opposition seeking to end her decade-long rule increasingly tainted by accusations of authoritarianism.

An octogenarian former comrade of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's father in the country's independence struggle is now the face of an embattled opposition seeking to end her decade-long rule increasingly tainted by accusations of authoritarianism. The 82-year-old Kamal Hossain said in an interview with Reuters on Monday that his decision to forge an alliance with the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was critical to restoring democracy in the country. Hossain is an Oxford-educated international jurist who drafted the country's constitution - and whom Hasina grew up calling "kaka", or uncle. He will be fighting to wrest away power from Hasina's ruling Awami League in a general election due by December 30. Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh's independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, is the longest-serving leader in its short history. She began a second straight term in power in 2014, after an election boycotted by the BNP and shunned by international observers, with more than half the seats uncontested. "What has happened in the last five years is unprecedented," Hossain said. "We've never had a government which has been around for five years without elections." The BNP's participation in the December 30 election was in doubt until last month, when it and three other parties announced the formation of a new alliance, the Jatiya Oikya Front, or National Unity Front, helmed by Hossain. Hossain had said he was not seeking to become prime minister as he is too old. But some in the coalition, he said, privately compare him to Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian prime minister who took power earlier this year at age 92.

The ageing 'uncle' seeking to bring down Bangladesh PM Hasina

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