Bangladesh confirms Awami League will be barred from 2026 elections
Dhaka, Dec 25: Bangladesh is preparing for its national parliamentary elections in February 2026 amid major political upheaval. At a press…
Dhaka, Dec 25: Bangladesh is preparing for its national parliamentary elections in February 2026 amid major political upheaval.
At a press conference today, Shafikul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government, confirmed that the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will not be able to participate in the elections due to a ban on its activities.
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The party’s registration has been suspended, and several of its leaders face ongoing trials at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The ban, issued in May through a gazette notification by the Public Security Division under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, applies to the Awami League and its affiliated organisations and will remain in force until the conclusion of the ongoing trials.
With the party deregistered by the Election Commission, it is effectively barred from contesting the upcoming polls.
During the press conference, Alam also responded to reports of a letter from US lawmakers expressing concern over the ban. He stated that he had not seen the letter but emphasized that the government’s position regarding the Awami League is clear.
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Sheikh Hasina has argued that an election without her party cannot be considered a true election, calling it instead a coronation.
The exclusion of the Awami League marks a major shift in Bangladesh’s political and electoral landscape, nearly a year after Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted following a student-led uprising in July last year.
