Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, has cautioned that significant forces, both within and beyond the country’s borders, are likely to conspire against the upcoming general election. This warning comes in the wake of the Awami League, led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, being barred from electoral participation. Yunus expressed concerns about powerful groups actively working to disrupt the polls, potentially through sudden and impactful actions.
At a recent gathering, Yunus highlighted the difficult nature of the upcoming election, anticipating a ‘planned campaign of propaganda’ from various sources. He specifically pointed to the growing threat of misinformation amplified by artificial intelligence, predicting the circulation of fabricated images and videos across digital platforms. The emphasis was on the deliberate nature of these efforts to destabilize the electoral process.
Meanwhile, Sheikh Hasina, in her first public remarks since leaving office, has vowed to ‘restore’ democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking to international media, Hasina voiced strong criticism of the country’s current political landscape and declared that millions of her followers would boycott the scheduled elections. Hasina, who has been residing in India since August 5th last year after a student-led movement led to her ouster, saw Muhammad Yunus return to head an interim administration, reportedly at the students’ behest. The Yunus government subsequently banned the Awami League’s activities, citing national security, and commenced trials against Hasina and key party figures. The Election Commission’s decision to revoke the Awami League’s registration effectively disqualifies them from participating in future elections. In the absence of the Awami League, the BNP, led by former premier Khaleda Zia, is now positioned as a frontrunner. Awami League supporters have held small demonstrations in Dhaka, resulting in arrests, including the recent detention of five junior leaders for holding unauthorized rallies.