But since Zia's government stepped down in October, Hasina's former opposition has staged protests and strikes to press for changes in the administration, which it says is biased.
Many diplomats and analysts agree but see Hasina's protests as nothing more than a ploy to turn the situation in her favor. Most say it is unlikely an election can be held before the caretaker government's 90-day term expires.
Missing the deadline for a vote would prompt a constitutional crisis, and, at that point, "a military takeover would be imminent," said Mozammel Haq, a former Zia spokesman.
The problem, as Haq and others note, is that the military doesn't appear to want power.
The old guard that staged the two successful coups in 1975 and 1982 has been replaced by professionals who are more interested in lucrative UN peacekeeping missions than trying to sort out Bangladesh's crooked politics.
But that attitude could change in time of crisis.
"My family -- brothers, mother, father, sisters -- all are in Bangladesh," said a 31-year-old Lieutenant Colonel.
"We're not wealthy people. We can't afford the political problems," he said.
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