标签： Asia

Bangladesh stands poised for a transformative democratic exercise as the nation of 170 million prepares for its first parliamentary elections since the dramatic ousting of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Scheduled for February 12, 2026, this electoral process represents a critical juncture for the Muslim-majority country following months of political upheaval.

The political landscape has undergone radical restructuring since the student-led revolution ended Hasina’s 15-year autocratic regime. Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, who returned from exile to lead an interim government as chief advisor, will oversee the transition. The 85-year-old reform advocate describes inheriting a ‘completely broken’ political system and has championed constitutional reforms aimed at preventing authoritarian resurgence. These proposed changes, subject to a same-day referendum, seek to establish stronger checks and balances among governmental branches.

Electoral dynamics feature a reconfigured party spectrum. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman following his return from 17 years of exile, emerges as the frontrunner. The party alliance incorporates leftist, centrist, and minor Islamist groups, navigating a complex political environment where the formerly dominant Awami League now operates under an official ban.

Notably, Jamaat-e-Islami—the country’s largest Islamist organization—seeks political rehabilitation after years of suppression under Hasina. Leading a coalition of over ten parties, including the National Citizen Party formed by revolutionary student leaders, the alliance represents diverse ideological currents within Bangladeshi society.

The military establishment remains a crucial stabilizing force, having notably abstained from intervening during the anti-Hasina protests. Continued patrols by armed forces alongside police underscore the security apparatus’s ongoing role in maintaining order.

Internationally, Bangladesh’s diplomatic alignments show significant realignment. Relations with India—formerly Hasina’s primary ally—have cooled considerably, while Yunus’s first state visit to China signals strategic reorientation. Enhanced engagement with Pakistan further illustrates Dhaka’s shifting foreign policy priorities.

This election, described by EU observers as potentially ‘the biggest democratic process of 2026,’ occurs against a backdrop of profound societal transformation and carries implications for regional stability and democratic governance models worldwide.

Myanmar’s military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has declared victory in the parliamentary constituency previously held by deposed democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to an anonymous party official. The announcement comes during the second phase of a month-long electoral process that critics condemn as a calculated maneuver to legitimize military rule.

The current voting process, scheduled to conclude on January 25, represents the first nationwide election since the military’s 2021 seizure of power. The junta administration maintains these elections will facilitate the return of civilian governance, but democracy advocates and international observers assert the process is fundamentally compromised.

Political analysts identify the USDP as the primary political proxy for Myanmar’s armed forces. Official results from the initial voting phase in December indicated the party secured approximately 90% of lower house seats. The anonymous USDP representative additionally claimed victory in 15 of 16 contested lower house seats within Yangon region, though no official margin of victory was disclosed.

United Nations human rights expert Tom Andrews characterized the electoral process as engineered to ensure military domination. ‘The junta manufactured these polls to create a facade of legitimacy while violence and repression continue unabated,’ Andrews stated in a recent declaration.

The electoral landscape remains severely constrained by ongoing civil conflict. Significant portions of Myanmar’s territory, controlled by rebel factions opposing military rule, are excluded from voting operations. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), the conflict has resulted in approximately 90,000 fatalities across all sides since the coup.

Concurrent with the elections, the junta has intensified suppression measures. New legislation criminalizes protest or criticism of the electoral process with penalties reaching ten years imprisonment. Over 330 individuals currently face prosecution under these provisions, while the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners documents more than 22,000 political detainees, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

Myanmar’s constitutional framework, established during previous military governance, automatically reserves one-quarter of parliamentary seats for armed forces personnel, irrespective of electoral outcomes.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has launched a forceful condemnation of the United States, alleging deliberate instigation of violent unrest amid nationwide protests that have resulted in a near-total internet blackout and significant casualties. Speaking on Monday, Araqchi asserted that while the situation remained “under total control,” Washington had actively encouraged violence through threatening rhetoric against Tehran.

The diplomatic official claimed President Donald Trump’s public warnings had effectively prompted armed groups to target both demonstrators and security forces in an attempt to justify foreign intervention. Iranian authorities purportedly possess footage showing weapons being distributed on streets and intend to release detainee confessions shortly.

Araqchi characterized the protests, which erupted on December 28 initially over economic grievances, as having been transformed into a “terrorist war against the country” with assistance from foreign intelligence agencies including Israel’s Mossad. He maintained security forces initially exercised restraint until “armed terrorist” groups infiltrated legitimate demonstrations.

According to Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based NGO, at least 192 people have died in the most significant anti-government protests in over three years. Official death tolls from Iranian authorities remain unavailable, and independent verification remains impossible amid the communication blackout.

The cyber isolation entered its fourth day, with monitoring group NetBlocks confirming a “national internet blackout” with only minimal, unstable connectivity. This digital curtain has severely limited information flow both within and outside the country.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a sharp response to Trump’s rhetoric through social media, drawing historical parallels to arrogant rulers who were “overthrown when they were at the height of their pride.”

The United Nations has called for restraint, with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing concern over reports of “violence & excessive use of force” while urging restoration of internet services. Meanwhile, Washington is reportedly considering coercive measures including cyber attacks, enhanced sanctions, and potential military strikes.

Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf issued a stark warning against American aggression, stating that any attack would make Israeli territories and all US bases and ships “legitimate targets.” State media has called for nationwide rallies to denounce what authorities describe as “terrorist actions led by the United States and Israel.”