Bangladesh Election: New Era Dawns as Hasina, Zia Absent from PM Race

• Bangladesh holds a general election without Sheikh Hasina or Khaleda Zia for the first time in decades, marking a significant political shift.
• The vote follows 18 months after Sheikh Hasina's ousting, a period characterized by unrest and economic pressures.
• Tarique Rahman (BNP) is a frontrunner, promising minority protection, foreign policy reforms, and a USD 1-trillion economy.
• Shafiqur Rahman (Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh) leads an 11-party alliance, focusing on ethical governance, social justice, and youth empowerment.
• Other key contenders include Nahid Islam (National Citizen Party), Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (BNP's 'Plan B'), and Syed Rezaul Karim (Islami Andolan Bangladesh).