Bangladesh heads for national elections this Sunday, but the polls are not a celebration of democracy with critics of the Sheikh Hasina government dubbing it a farce. Cynics have declared the ruling Awami League as the winners without a single vote being cast. There is reason for cynicism. Many of the top opposition leaders are in jail or have fled the country. Critics say the political leaders and activists were slapped with false charges and in many cases, expedited trials were held to convict the accused and keep them out of the race. Sheikh Hasina while presiding over a booming economy, has grown increasingly authoritarian and intolerant of criticism.