Bangladesh stability is fragile as former prime minister wins election

Bangladesh, a predominantly Muslim country in South Asia with a population of 140 million, has been under army-backed rule since early 2007. Hasina's secular Awami League is expected to form a government after her alliance won 260 of the 300 seats in parliament.

Even before the results became clear in Monday's election, however, Wajed's rivals, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, accused Wajed's group of vote-buying and dirty tricks. Some 200,000 election observers fanned out across the country, including more than 2,000 foreigners.

The charges raised the specter of a return to the divisive accusations, work stoppages and street demonstrations that have made it difficult at times for leaders to govern effectively.

"The opposition may not accept the election," said Ataur Rahman, a professor at the University of Dhaka. "That could jeopardize parliamentary government. We want a more meaningful democracy and a functioning parliament, but that might not take place."

Analysts attributed the lopsided victory to Wajed's poverty-alleviation promises, her alliance's better political organization and a desire for change in the wake of Zia's 1991-96 and 2001-06 administrations.

"Many people voted Hasina out of pent-up resentment over Khaleda's alleged misrule and corruption," said Abdul Aziz, 48, headmaster of a high school in Chittagong.

On election day, authorities deployed more than half a million soldiers and police officers to prevent violence in a nation with a history of political unrest.

"I feel proud to cast my vote in such a festive and free atmosphere," said Jashim Uddin, 55, owner of a pharmacy in Chittagong, shortly after casting his vote Monday afternoon. "We want to see an end to violence and terrorism. . . . In the past, we've had to give payoffs to local political activists just to run a business or do other things in society."

But some were doubtful that a long history of social and political corruption could be easily reversed. Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International ranked Bangladesh 147th in its 2008 corruption-perceptions index of 180 countries assessed.