Bangladesh’s Awami League banned from national elections in February 2026

DHAKA: Amid political turmoil and a major shift in the country’s political landscape, 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 Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Shafikul Alam, announced that the Awami League, whose political activities are currently banned in the country, will not be able to participate in the upcoming national polls.

During a press conference on Wednesday, following a meeting of the Advisory Council of the interim government, Alam, in response to a reporter’s question about a letter reportedly sent to the Chief Adviser by US lawmakers expressing concern over the ban on the Awami League, made this remark.

He said that he had not seen the letter and was not aware of it. However, he emphasised that the government’s position regarding the Awami League is clear. “Since the Awami League’s activities are banned and the Election Commission has deregistered the party, the Awami League will not be able to take part in this election”, the secretary said.

#BANGLADESH : Mohd #Yunus’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam has stated that the Awami League will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming elections. The announcement is expected to further escalate political tensions ahead of the polls. pic.twitter.com/SbQhvwW9Qy

— IDU (@defencealerts) December 25, 2025

The party’s registration has been suspended, and its leaders are on trial at the International Crimes Tribunal. Earlier in May, the interim government issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated, associated, and fraternal organisations.

The decision was stated to remain in force until the completion of trials at the International Crimes Tribunal. At that time, the gazette was issued by the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The notification said that the action was taken under the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance.

As Bangladesh prepares to hold its national elections nearly a year after Sheikh Hasina’s government was ousted following a student-led uprising in July last year, the former Prime Minister has said that an election without her party would not be an election but a coronation, as the Awami League has been barred from contesting the upcoming polls.

“An election without the Awami League is not an election but a coronation. Yunus governs without a single vote from the Bangladeshi people, and now he seeks to ban the party that has been elected nine times by popular mandate,” Hasina said.

“Historically, when Bangladeshis cannot vote for their preferred party, they do not vote at all. So millions will be effectively disenfranchised if this ban on the Awami League is maintained. Any government that emerges from such an exercise will lack the moral authority to govern. This would be a terrible missed opportunity at a time when Bangladesh badly needs a process of genuine national reconciliation,” she added.

Bangladesh is set to hold its elections in February 2026, with political tensions running high. (ANI)