India, Feb. 12 -- Bangladesh is hours away from choosing a new government in the February 12 elections, a move hoped to bring in some political stability, 19 months after the ouster of former Sheikh Hasina as prime minister. The events over the past two years have shown that neither the government nor political parties and prominent figures hold power in Bangladesh for long, but the country's army - a silent yet formidable force - remains a key factor for those vying to be in power.

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Bangladesh's army, with its more than five-decade history, has not only helped leaders like Ziaur Rahman, father of one of the top contenders for the PM post, Tarique Rahman, but also led to the oust...