India, Feb. 11 -- The stage is set for closely watched national elections in Bangladesh, scheduled for Thursday, February 12. The polls come 19 months after Sheikh Hasina's 16-year government was overthrown in July 2024 in a student-led uprising, after which she went into exile in India. An interim caretaker government was formed following her ouster, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus appointed as interim Chief Adviser.

Bangladesh, which has a history of violent coups, authoritarian rule and political exile, will not only vote for its next government on Thursday but will also take part in a national referendum to decide whether the July National Charter should be adopted.

"The day after tomorrow is just such a day, when two votes are g...