The Commonwealth said the polls were “disappointing” due to limited participation and added that the acts of violence are “deeply troubling” and “unacceptable”.
“It is critical that Bangladesh moves quickly to find a path forward through dialogue to a more inclusive and peaceful political process in which the will of the people can be fully expressed,” Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma said in a statement.
However, Hasina appeared unfazed by the international criticism and asserted that the opposition election boycott should “not mean there will be a question of legitimacy”.
The opposition alliance boycotted the polls after Hasina stonewalled its demands to step down and install a neutral caretaker government for overseeing the elections.
