Bangladesh interim govt. bars Awami League from parliamentary elections in Feb 2026
By Anjali Sharma
WASHINGTON Bangladesh interim government announced on Thursday that the Awami League party will not be allowed to contest in the February 2026 national parliamentary elections marked a dramatic turning point in the country’s political trajectory after last year’s unrest.
The Awami League is led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted and her party Awami League party will not be allowed to contest the February 2026 Bangladesh national parliamentary elections..
Shafikul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser of the interim government was speaking after a meeting of the Advisory Council held confirmed that the party will be excluded from the upcoming Bangladesh parliamentary elections.
“Since the Awami League’s activities are banned and the Election Commission has cancelled the party’s registration, it will not be able to participate in the next election,” he said.
Alam also responded to questions about reports that several US lawmakers had written to the Chief Adviser expressed concern over the ban.
He said he had not seen the letter but stressed that the government’s stance was unambiguous.
In May, the interim administration had issued a gazette notification outlawed all activities of the Awami League as well as its affiliated and associated organizations.
Several senior leaders are currently facing proceedings at the International Crimes Tribunal.
The Awami League’s registration remains suspended till date, as per the order issued by the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs under provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Amendment Ordinance.
The ban will remain in force until the conclusion of the trials at the International Crimes Tribunal, media reported.
The former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has criticized the move, warned that an election without her party would lack legitimacy.
“An election without the Awami League is not an election, it is a coronation,” she said in a statement.
She also accused the interim administration of ruling without a popular mandate and attempting to sideline a party that has won power multiple times through elections.
Hasina cautioned that barring the Awami League could discourage voter participation.
“When people are denied the chance to vote for their preferred party, many choose not to vote at all. Millions could be effectively disenfranchised if this ban continues,” she said, adding that any government formed under such circumstances would struggle to claim moral authority.
The experts said political tensions in Bangladesh remain high ahead of the 2026 polls in Feb.
The exclusion of one of the country’s largest political parties has intensified debate over democratic representation, reconciliation, and the future direction of the nation, they stated.
