On Thursday, Sheikh Hasina took the oath of office as prime minister of Bangladesh for a record-breaking fourth term. Her party had won an election that was boycotted by the main opposition, which called the results a farce.
After Hasina rejected their demand that she step down and allow an impartial body to oversee the general election, the leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), whose members are either imprisoned or living abroad, refrained from participating in the polls.
The elections were not free and fair, according to the US State Department. The Foreign Office of the British Government denounced “acts of intimidation and violence” as well.
At a ceremony held at the presidential palace, President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath of office to a distinguished group of dignitaries, diplomats, high-ranking civil and military officials, and political figures.
To thunderous acclaim, Sheikh Hasina declared, “I am, Sheikh Hasina, taking oath…that I will discharge my duties as the prime minister of the government faithfully as per the law.”
The 36-member cabinet of Hasina was also sworn in during the live television ceremony.
The BNP claims that Hasina’s party is attempting to legitimize a rigged election after boycotting two of the previous three.
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