Bangladesh has announced that it will hold a parliamentary election on January 7, 2023. The election will see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been in power since 2009, seeking a fifth term. However, the country has been rocked by deadly protests in recent weeks, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Hasina to make way for a caretaker government. The protests have resulted in the deaths of at least four people, including a policeman, and hundreds of others have been injured. Opposition parties have called for a nationwide strike in protest and warned that the country is being driven toward conflict.

The main opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has threatened to boycott the election if Hasina does not resign. The BNP's top leadership is either imprisoned or in exile, and they argue that boycotting the election would de-legitimize any victory for Hasina. The BNP had also boycotted the 2014 election but participated in 2018. Hasina has faced criticism for ruling with an authoritarian hand, violating human rights, cracking down on free speech, and suppressing dissent. Her main rival, BNP leader Khaleda Zia, is effectively under house arrest on corruption charges. Her son, Tarique Rahman, who is the acting chairman of the BNP, is in exile and has also faced various accusations.

Despite these criticisms, Hasina has overseen impressive economic growth during her time in office. However, Western nations have expressed concerns over democratic backsliding and have called for free and fair elections. The United States, which is the main importer of clothing from Bangladesh, has implemented a policy that would prohibit visas for individuals who interfere with the country's democratic election process. This move shows the international pressure on Hasina's government to ensure transparent elections. The upcoming parliamentary election will be closely watched as the country continues to grapple with political unrest and demands for a more inclusive and democratic process.