New Delhi: As Bangladesh prepares for its general elections scheduled on 12 February 2026, political tensions have intensified. The ruling party, Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, has been banned from participating in the upcoming polls. Despite appeals made at the international level, the party’s request for intervention went unanswered.
On the social media platform X, Awami League accused the government of undermining democracy by treating the election as a “controlled system” rather than a genuine democratic process. The party stated that it enjoys the support of about 60% of the voters, but the ban imposed by the Yunus government has effectively excluded a large section of citizens from democratic participation.
“An election that excludes the majority of people is not democracy; it is control,” the party wrote. It further argued that no credible democracy bans its largest political party yet claims legitimacy. “Democracy requires competition, whereas authoritarian regimes eliminate opposition. During Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, no registered party was banned,” Awami League emphasized.
The party clarified that the low voter turnout is due to a boycott, not the imposed ban, and highlighted the dangerous consequences of denying a strong democratic force’s participation. According to Awami League, removing this major player clears the path for extremist politics and reinstates groups repeatedly rejected by voters. The party called this political engineering, not reform.
Awami League also raised concerns about reinstating discredited figures previously rejected by the public, warning that this removes genuine electoral choices and enables corruption, arms trafficking, and money laundering to dominate leadership. “History shows that elections without alternatives do not bring stability. Exclusion fuels extremism,” the party said, urging the international community not to legitimize this process.
The party warned that elections without Awami League cannot be considered democratic and described the situation as a “suicide of democracy,” with consequences extending beyond Bangladesh’s borders.
Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Awami League faced electoral restrictions. Sheikh Hasina herself has left the country and has been sentenced to death and 21 years imprisonment in multiple cases.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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