Guwahati, Feb. 4 -- The January 7 parliamentary election in Bangladesh was not only significant for the country but also for several foreign nations, including neighbouring India. The international observers of Bangladesh's political unrest leading up to the election expressed deep concern over the country's fragile democracy. The foreign media has termed the election "controversial" with a low voter turnout. The ruling Awami League (AL) and its allies won 222 out of 300 Jatiya Sangsad seats. In the opinion of the Western media, the AL won a "disputed landslide victory" in an election that was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth consecutive term in power and h...