Sheikh Hasina is set to extend her two-decade rule over Bangladesh after a crackdown on her rivals propelled her towards victory at Sunday’s election and highlighted the geopolitical rift between the US and rising Asian powers.
The prime minister’s Awami League party went into the vote practically unchallenged after authorities arrested thousands of members of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist party in the weeks leading up to the polls in the country of 170mn.
The BNP boycotted the vote, leaving a collection of little-known parties and independent candidates — many of whom appeared to be running with the Awami League’s support — in their place.