Govt 2 March announced final death toll from Feb mutiny by border patrol force Bangladesh Rifles (BDR): 74 dead, including 56 officers. Police 3 March arrested suspected mutiny leader, over 200 additional BDR members detained during March. Human rights groups raised concerns over deaths, possible torture of 4 detained BDR personnel. Govt 21 March said will disband BDR, create new border force. Opposition (BNP) leader Khaleda Zia and many army officials criticised govt handling of mutiny. Govt 12 March said some of arrested had links to Islamist group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh.

Members of paramilitary border patrol force Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) led violent mutiny at their Dhaka HQ 25 Feb, taking hostage some 130 senior military officials and killing over 70; many still missing as CrisisWatch went to press. Move came after BDR members blocked from presenting PM Hasina with pay and staffing demands, including removal of military officials from BDR posts. Mutiny spread to barracks across country even as some Dhaka BDR guards handed over weapons 26 Feb. Military 27 Feb reiterated support for govt as latter promised tribunals to fast-track mutiny cases, easing fears of coup. Parliamentary work stalled for 17 days as opposition BNP continued complaint over seating arrangements until 19 Feb. Cross-party committee 31 Jan said would review all ordinances issued by caretaker govt (CTG). PM Hasina 4 Feb said Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to be re-organised to run “without political interference”.

Civilian federal govt sworn in 6 Jan, led by Awami League (AL) leader Sheikh Hasina, ending 2 years of military-backed caretaker administration. Opposition BNP pledged to work with govt, but 28 Jan walked out of parliament over seating arrangements. Local upazila council polls held 22 Jan; polling suspended in 7 districts as polling centres plagued by violence and reports of fraud. Election commissioner noted “irregularities”, said interference by “ruling party” to blame. Candidates affiliated with Awami League (AL) took 306 of 463 upazila councils, strengthening party’s mandate.

Largely peaceful 29 Dec polls yielded decisive victory for Awami League (AL), with 230 of 300 seats amid 70% turnout. 2-year state of emergency lifted 17 Dec in advance of polls. Full campaigning began 12 Dec after caretaker govt lifted restrictions on rallies. BNP, which won only 29 of 300 parliamentary seats, initially announced would protest some irregularities in polls, but 1 Jan accepted defeat. AL-led alliance to hold commanding majority in parliament with 262 seats; BNP MPs yet to take oath of office but indicate they will work with new govt even as ongoing post-poll violence between AL and BNP supporters killed 4. AL head Sheikh Hasina and govt due to be sworn in 6 Jan. Supreme Court 19 Dec ruled jailed candidates may contest polls.

After Election Commission announced 11-day delay to Dec parliamentary polls, BNP announced intention to join election along with Awami League (AL); much uncertainty remains regarding prospects for crucial polls. Election Commission 22 Nov announced new schedule at behest of parties: parliamentary polls 29 Dec, local upazila polls 22 Jan. BNP welcomed change, 1 of 4 demands to govt before it confirms its participation, party now selecting candidates. Major parties continued to insist on lifting of emergency provisions in advance of polls. Tight restrictions on campaigning remain, but AL, BNP began campaigning despite ban until 3 weeks before polls. EU 18 Nov announced it would send full observation mission, to join handful of others; UN sent assessment mission. Dhaka sent troops to Myanmar border; warships to Bay of Bengal to protest Myanmar exploration of seas for oil, gas (see Burma/Myanmar).

Awami League (AL) 15 Oct filed registration papers ahead of 18 Dec national polls; Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP followed suit on 20 Oct deadline. Parties continue to call for end to state of emergency. AL head Sheikh Hasina denied bail 30 Oct, which could bar her from polls, but vowed to stand; BNP head Khaleda Zia charged election commission with bias, called on all officials to resign. Legal challenges to govt’s redrawing of constituency boundaries threatened to delay announcement of detailed schedule for polls, required 45 days before poll date. Elsewhere, 14 killed in 21 Oct bombing in Imphal, Manipur state; officials blamed Myanmar-based People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), stated need to seal border. In Tripura state, 1 Oct bomb blasts killed 2.

Head of caretaker govt Fakhruddin Ahmed announced 18 Dec date for parliamentary elections. Local polls will follow on 24, 28 Dec. Emergency provisions will be relaxed during polls, including freedom of assembly, but details unclear. Former PM Khaleda Zia and her son both released on bail early Sept. Former PM Sheikh Hasina, in U.S. for medical treatment on parole, still seeking bail. If granted, both women one step closer to legally standing in Dec poll.

Local polls held 4 Aug in 4 cities, 9 municipalities as state of emergency “eased” in voting districts. No party affiliations allowed, some confusion over voter identification reported. Candidates backed by Awami League reportedly led polls. Supporters of ex-PM Zia rioted 25 Aug, demanding her son be released from detention for medical treatment; 1 killed outside Dhaka college. India ordered night-time curfew on shared border 25 Aug.

Matiur Rahman Nizami, Jamaat-e-Islami leader, freed on bail 15 July following May arrest on corruption charges.

Election Commission (EC) announced 4 Aug date for local polls in 4 smaller cities, 9 municipalities; said emergency measures to be “relaxed” locally from mid-July to allow campaigning. Dhaka, Chittagong elections deferred. EC 25 June announced 80m voters registered, meeting end-June target. BNP and Awami League (AL) continued objection to polls under state of emergency, holding local polls before national; BNP announced will boycott local polls. Police reported 10,000 arrested 1-4 June in “crime crackdown” to improve security ahead of elections; targets included opposition politicians. AL chief Sheikh Hasina freed on bail 11 June to receive medical treatment.