The chequered history of Bangladesh elections: A timeline

As Bangladesh heads to polls today (January 7), the outcome is all but certain. Incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League are set to return to power for a fourth straight term, as the main opposition, Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party, boycotts the elections. BNP's current leader, the exiled Tarique Rahman has called the process a "sham" with a "predetermined outcome". The BNP wanted the election to be held under a "caretaker government" to ensure a fair and unbiased process. But Hasina did not relent. Notably, BNP's qualms with regards to the fairness of Bangladesh's electoral process have…