Municipal elections held under the state of emergency declared by Bangladesh's military to purge corruption from the political system have been judged to be fair, even though most were won by candidates backed by one of the country's traditional party machines.

The Awami League, the party of Sheikh Hasina Wajed, former prime minister, celebrated as its candidates won 12 of 13 mayoral races. At least two of its candidates, Badaruddin Kamran in Sylhet and Ramzan Ali in Manikganj, had campaigned from jail.