Development success model Bangladesh held its election on Sunday amid a boycott from the main opposition party and low-turnout balloting, handing a fourth consecutive term to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in what was widely viewed as a foregone conclusion. But with accusations of ballot rigging, voter manipulation, and crumbling democratic standards casting doubts on the legitimacy of results, it prompts the question: What role do — and should — international donors play in countries on a downward authoritarian slide?
Hailed as a case study in poverty reduction, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable economic growth since gaining independence in 1971. Once famously labeled a basket case due to seemingly insurmountable poverty, the country has seen significant progress under Hasina in areas such as health, education, and female empowerment, and is on track to graduate from the U.N.’s Least Developed Countries list by 2026.
But Hasina’s 14-year rule has been marred by declining democratic standards, with a crackdown on political opponents, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings drawing increasing condemnation from the international community.