Bangladesh Votes Amid Uncertainty After Historic Political Shift, Hasina's Exit

• Bangladesh holds elections following the dramatic 2024 political upheaval that removed long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power.
• Senior political analyst Chris Blackburn describes the period as a "historic generational shift" with the end of the "Battle of the Begums" after Sheikh Hasina's fall and Khaleda Zia's absence.
• Concerns about security and fairness have emerged, with reports of intimidation, alleged financial misconduct, and arrests of Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.
• The absence of the Awami League's leadership raises questions about the election's legitimacy, with Chris Blackburn calling it "disenfranchising" and "disappointing."
• Voter sentiment is shaped by economic concerns like unemployment, inflation, and cost-of-living pressures, alongside palpable fear and anxiety on the ground.