In a scathing critique, Bangladesh’s Awami League has denounced the upcoming February 2026 elections as a sham, far removed from democratic ideals. Banned from participating, the party—once led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina—claims this move excludes the majority of voters and paves the way for extremism.
The party’s official statement on social media platform X pulls no punches. ‘This election is being sold as democracy’s return, but it’s a deliberate exclusion of the people,’ it reads. With an estimated 60% voter support, Awami League argues that barring them effectively sidelines most citizens from the democratic process. ‘An election that keeps out the majority isn’t democracy—it’s control.’
Awami League contrasts this with Hasina’s tenure, where no registered party faced a ban. They dismiss claims of low turnout as boycotts, not government suppression, warning that conflating the two is dangerous. Removing the strongest democratic force, they say, clears the path for radical politics. Groups repeatedly rejected by voters are now normalized, reintroducing corruption, arms smuggling, and money laundering into leadership roles.
‘History shows elections without real choices don’t bring stability—they breed extremism,’ the statement warns. The international community is urged not to legitimize this process. Without Awami League, these polls amount to ‘democracy’s suicide,’ with consequences spilling beyond Bangladesh’s borders.
This comes after Hasina’s ouster, her flight from the country, and convictions carrying death sentences and lengthy prison terms. As political tensions simmer, Awami League’s bold accusations highlight deep fractures in Bangladesh’s electoral landscape, raising questions about the future of governance in the nation.