The Raja Saab Actress Malavika Mohanan Glows In A Pink Brocade Saree And Puff-Sleeved Blouse: See How To Recreate The Look Malavika Mohanan Pink Brocade Saree Look: South Indian actress Malavika Mohanan mostly works in Tamil and Malayalam films. Her recent film, The Raja Saab
Zeynep Sonmez made headlines with history and heartfelt gesture at the Australian Open 2026 on Sunday. After coming through Qualifiers, the 23-year-old Sonmez first helped a ballkid who fainted beside the court before becoming the first Turkish woman to advance into the second round of the
Mackenzie Scott Net Worth: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' ex-wife, MacKenzie Scott, reported to have given more than 7 billion dollars in 2025 alone, taking her total charitable giving since 2020 to 26 billion dollars across more than 2,700 organisations
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Smriti Mandhana has added another record to her name in Women's Premier League. In the 11th match of WPL 2026 against Delhi Capitals, she scored 96 runs off 61 balls and played a big role in her team's 8-wicket win
Pakistani media outlets, including Geo Super and TelecomAsia.net, confirmed that Islamabad views Bangladesh's position as legitimate. The landscape of the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup has been plunged into further turmoil as Pakistan indicates it may rethink its participation if the ongoing standoff
B'desh Elections: Why India’s Call For Free-Fair Polls Faces A Tough Reality
Bangladesh Elections: Why India’s Call For ‘Free And Fair’ Polls Faces A Tough Reality | EXPLAINED
With elections weeks away, India has urged Bangladesh to ensure free and inclusive polls, but years of disputed elections, party bans, and political upheaval have cast serious doubts over credibility. The return of Tarique Rahman and the exclusion of the Awami League have reshaped the contest amid rising concerns.
With barely two months left for Bangladesh's general election, India has stressed the importance of holding credible and inclusive polls, even as questions grow over whether such an exercise is possible under current conditions.
“We stand for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh, which is to be held in a peaceful atmosphere,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a weekly briefing in Delhi on Friday.
However, Bangladesh's recent electoral history suggests that genuinely free and fair elections have been elusive for over a decade. The last polls widely regarded as credible were held in 2008.
Add Zee News as a Preferred Source
In that election, Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured 32.5 per cent of the vote, while its ally Jamaat-e-Islami received 4.28 per cent. Other parties in the BNP-led bloc together accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the electorate.
Since then, participation has steadily declined. The 2014 election was boycotted by the BNP after the Sheikh Hasina government refused to hold polls under a neutral caretaker administration, a system followed since 1996 to ensure fairness.
In 2018, the BNP returned to the electoral process, but Khaleda Zia was unable to contest as she had been jailed in corruption cases shortly before the vote. The 2024 election followed a similar pattern, with Khaleda Zia again absent, paving the way for Sheikh Hasina to retain power amid low voter turnout. Nearly 40 per cent of eligible voters were effectively left out of the process.
The political landscape has shifted sharply since then. Sheikh Hasina was ousted last year and is now living in exile, while she faces the possibility of a death sentence over allegations linked to the violent suppression of a student uprising in July.
At the same time, Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years abroad. Over the past 18 months, multiple cases against both him and his mother have been dropped.
Ahead of his return, Tarique Rahman avoided questions about the absence of the Awami League from the upcoming election in an interview with the Financial Times. He said those convicted in corruption cases were barred from contesting polls.
Under interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the Awami League has been banned from participating in the election. Opinion surveys now indicate the BNP is well placed to emerge as the largest party.
Both Yunus and Rahman have described the Awami League as a “fascist” organisation, reflecting the long-standing rivalry between the BNP leadership and Sheikh Hasina.
Rahman has also indicated openness to working with the National Citizen Party (NCP), a student-led group that played a central role in protests against Hasina's government. Yet the NCP itself appears uncertain about the electoral process.
“The electoral culture in Bangladesh is not really pleasant for us,” NCP founder Nahid Islam told the Financial Times.
Concerns have also been raised by other political players. Jatiya Party (Ershad) chief GM Quader wrote recently that the current administration “is not neutral and does not intend to hold free, fair and impartial elections”, adding that its ability to do so was also in doubt.
According to Quader, the only solution is the return of a neutral caretaker government involving all political parties.
Adding to the unease, the Election Commission has sought additional police protection for its senior officials and offices across the country. The commission's recent exclusion of the Awami League, the Jatiya Party and their allies from an all-party dialogue has further fuelled doubts about inclusivity.
As Bangladesh heads towards another crucial vote, India's call for free and fair elections stands in contrast to the growing concerns on the ground about whether such conditions can truly be met.
Source: ZeeNews
Related Posts: Vivo X200T India launch imminent India readies power-packed presence before global elite Why The 1997–98 Union Budget Earned The Title Of India’s “Dream Budget” India Vs New Zealand 3rd ODI Lin Chun-Yi, An Se-Young Win India Open Amid India's bond market BCCI announces India’s squads for ODI and T20I series against Australia ahead of World Cup Pakistan May Withdraw from T20 World Cup In Solidarity With Bangladesh Americans paying for AI in India UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed to visit India on 19 Jan
The sharp surge has helped silver emerge as the top performer among major asset classes, supported by strong demand and multiple positive global factors. New Delhi: Silver prices have continued their remarkable rally, rising another 22 per cent in January so far
1 days ago
Croma has kicked off its Republic Day Sale, rolling out wide-ranging discounts across smartphones, laptops, televisions, home appliances and audio products. The sale is currently live across Croma stores nationwide and will run until January 26
1 days ago
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday said at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, will pay an official visit to India on 19 January 2026
1 days ago
White House trade advisor and US President Donald Trump's aide, Peter Navarro, claimed that the people of the United States are allegedly paying for the artificial intelligence (AI) services that companies provide in India, according to a telephonic interview with the former White House chief
1 days ago
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced India's squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia. The Women's Selection Committee has finalised India's squad for the tour of Australia starting from February 15, comprising three ODIs, three T20Is and one Test
1 days ago
Days after citing a security threat as a reason to buy Greenland, President Donald Trump has now raised concerns with aides about Canada's susceptibility to America's so-called rivals in the Arctic, such as Russia and China, NBC News reported, citing current and former US officials
1 days ago
Chennai, Jan 18 (PTI) Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday announced an annual Literature Award for best works in languages including Tamil, Telugu, Bengali and Marathi. The award, under the auspices of the state government, will carry Rs 5 lakh cash prize, he said
1 days ago
India's fixed-income market has had a restless few weeks. Yields have moved in fits and starts, sentiment has swung between optimism and caution, and yet—beneath the surface—the market has remained far more orderly than the headlines might suggest
1 days ago
The mourners had gathered in the small village of Vero, a half-hour drive from Ajaccio, the capital of the picture-postcard Mediterranean island of Corsica. In their midst was former nationalist leader Alain Orsoni, 71, who had flown in from exile in Nicaragua to bury his mother. Suddenly
1 days ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Singur, accused the Trinamool Congress of running a “maha jungle raj” in West Bengal and urged voters to pledge for change ahead of the Assembly elections. He said only a BJP government could restore law and order
1 days ago
Former CPI(M) MLA S Rajendran has joined the BJP. He stated he has no conditions and no desire to contest elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the NDA's Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign on January 23. The AIADMK-led NDA aims to regain power
1 days ago
Croma has kicked off its Republic Day Sale with a broad set of discounts across electronics, highlighted by a steep price cut on Apple's latest iPhone 17. The sale is currently live at Croma stores nationwide and will run until January 26. Republic Day Sale now liveThe Tata-owned electronics
1 days ago
The 50 promises a massive, never-before-seen reality TV experience with a star-studded contestant line-up, grand scale and an unconventional format that is set to redefine Indian reality shows. Colors TV is ready to shake up the Indian reality TV space with its upcoming mega show, The 50
1 days ago
British number one Emma Raducanu overcame a shaky start to sail past Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew and reach the second round at the Australian Open. Seeded at a major for the first time since the 2022 US Open, Raducanu looked sluggish as she dropped serve early on against the world number 196
1 days ago
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Saturday imposed a penalty of Rs 22.2 crore on IndiGo following an investigation into widespread flight disruptions in December, finding that the airline overstretched its flight crew and failed to adequately implement revised pilot duty and rest norms
1 days ago
Stringent anti-pollution curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) were reinforced in the national capital on Saturday after Delhi's air quality worsened, with AQI breaching 400 in some areas. The curbs under GRAP-4 include a ban on entry of non-essential trucks into Delhi, construction
1 days ago
Sri Lanka secured a commanding victory over Japan in the ICC Under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup. Openers set a new record partnership for the tournament. Sri Lanka's bowlers then restricted Japan, showcasing the team's depth. This win positions Sri Lanka strongly for the next stage of the competition
1 days ago
Memes and match-winning numbers have gone hand in hand as Daryl Mitchell once again tormented India, turning the ongoing ODI series into his personal highlight reel. As India and New Zealand locked horns in the series decider at Indore on Sunday, social media erupted with jokes
1 days ago
Taiwan's Lin Chun-yi clinched the India Open men's singles title on Sunday, but his breakthrough triumph came at a tournament overshadowed by criticism over playing conditions that included bird droppings on court and even a monkey in the stands
1 days ago
NASA's Artemis II rocket is now on the launch pad for a historic lunar journey. Four astronauts will travel around the moon and return. This mission is a crucial step towards future moon landings. The launch is planned for February, following a key fueling test
1 days ago
Bodoland Lottery Results Today 18 January 2026 Live: The Assam Bodoland Lottery Department will declare its results today at 3 PM. Participants can view their results at bodollotteries.com, the official website, scroll down for more details.Bodoland Lottery Results Today 18 January 2026 Live: The
1 days ago
Max Verstappen isn't panicking about the future. If anything, he sounds almost too calm. With Ferrari, Mercedes and Aston Martin circling — and the next big rules reset looming — the four-time world champion has made it clear that the upcoming season could shape what comes next
1 days ago
Dark showering has emerged as the latest trend among wellness enthusiasts. Experts suggest that it may help reduce stress, promote better sleep, and even aid in managing anxiety. From calming the mind to creating a soothing sensory experience
1 days ago
A delegation from Gujarat, spearheaded by Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, is set to make waves at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Their mission? To lure in global investors and highlight Gujarat's ambitious development strategy. Ahmedabad
1 days ago
US-Iran Tensions: The protests, which began in December last year at two markets in the Iranian capital Tehran, continued to escalate despite a high death toll. After weeks of demonstrations, which later turned violent, the unrest appeared to have subsided.US-Iran Tensions: The protests
1 days ago
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said a U.S. invasion of Greenland "would make Vladimir Putin the happiest man on earth" in a newspaper interview published on Sunday (January 18, 2026). PM Sanchez said, ”Any military action by the U.S
1 days ago
With the three-match series tied at 1-1, the Indian team management made the bold call to bench Prasidh Krishna in favor of Arshdeep. IIn a high-stakes series finale where every selection is scrutinized, Arshdeep Singh proved exactly why he remains India's go-to man for early breakthroughs
1 days ago
