Bangladesh Elections: Awami League Banned, Setting Stage for Controversial Polls in 2026

Bangladesh's interim government has confirmed that the Awami League, led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will not participate in the February 2026 national parliamentary elections due to a ban on its activities. The decision, made amid high political tensions, has sparked concerns about the legitimacy of the upcoming polls. According to Press Secretary Shafikul Alam, the Awami League's activities are currently banned, and the Election Commission has deregistered the party. This means that the party will not be able to contest the elections, a move that has been criticized by Sheikh Hasina. The ban on the Awami League was first implemented in May, following a gazette notification issued by the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notification stated that the action was taken under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, and that it would remain in force until the completion of trials at the International Crimes Tribunal. Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the ban, calling it a 'coronation' rather than a legitimate election. She argued that an election without the Awami League would disenfranchise millions of voters and undermine the moral authority of the government. Bangladesh is set to hold its elections in February 2026, and the ban on the Awami League has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process. The country's political landscape has been marked by turmoil and student-led uprisings in the past year, and the upcoming polls are expected to be highly contested.