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- Politics
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How Bangladesh elections without the Awami League will be a democratic farce
Without the Awami League, the upcoming elections will not be a celebration of democracy but a cautionary tale of how 'revolutions', even though born in the name of reform, can lose their way read more The boat is the political symbol of the Awami League, which is the largest and the founding party of Bangladesh. Image: AFP The political future of Bangladesh hangs in the balance, and not because elections have been announced. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate turned interim leader, declared during his Eid-ul-Azha address that national elections will take place in the first half of April 2026. On the surface, it sounds like a democratic milestone in a country recovering from mass protests and a regime change. But scratch beneath the surface, and a far more troubling picture emerges—one in which the absence of the Awami League, Bangladesh's most historically significant party, raises urgent questions about the legitimacy and intent behind this proposed democratic exercise. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Shadow of 1971 The Awami League is more than just a political party. It is inseparable from the very founding of Bangladesh. It was under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, its founding leader, that Bangladesh was born in 1971 after a brutal liberation war against Pakistan. To ban such a party outright—no matter how controversial its recent leadership—undermines the entire premise of inclusive democratic politics in the country. When Yunus's interim government invoked the Anti-Terrorism Act to outlaw the Awami League and cited the deaths of over 1,400 people during the 2024 protests as justification, the move drew international condemnation and domestic concern. Even more troubling is the expansion of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act (ICT Act) to allow entire political entities to be held collectively accountable. Such legal overreach sets a dangerous precedent and calls into question whether the rule of law is being used for justice—or for political vengeance. Yunus's Promises vs Political Realities Yunus came to power in August 2024 amidst chaos: the ouster of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, violent crackdowns on student-led protests, and public fury over a job reservation system perceived as nepotistic. Initially hailed as a technocrat with integrity, Yunus promised a three-point agenda—reform, justice, and elections. He accused past governments of running 'fascist regimes' and declared that flawed elections were responsible for Bangladesh's cyclical crises since independence. But his critics argue that these high-minded goals are being used to mask a consolidation of power. There has been a consistent delay in announcing a clear electoral roadmap, and his administration has taken controversial foreign policy positions—such as backing the Chittagong-to-Rakhine corridor project, opposed by the army and most major parties. These distractions seem to deviate from what should be the interim government's singular mission: holding credible, timely elections and transferring power. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Army's Red Line and Political Fracturing Pressure is mounting from all sides, especially the military. In an unprecedented move, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman issued a public ultimatum, demanding elections be held by December 2025. He accused Yunus of interfering in military matters, attempting to engineer leadership changes within the armed forces, and delaying elections for personal or external agendas. Tensions boiled over during a Durbar meeting where Waker, flanked by officers in combat uniform, questioned Yunus's democratic mandate and commitment to national security. The military's growing impatience is echoed by almost all major political players. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), seen as the frontrunner if elections are held soon, has accused Yunus of stalling. Even the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP)—despite its proximity to the interim regime—expressed conditional support for the April 2026 timeline, contingent on the implementation of key reforms outlined in the 'July Charter' and 'July Declaration'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Risk of a 'King's Party' The rise of the National Citizens Party, a student-led movement that was at the forefront of Hasina's ouster, initially energised youth politics. But its close alignment with the interim regime has earned it the label of 'king's party'. Tensions between the BNP and NCP have already resulted in dozens of deaths in street clashes. Moreover, the NCP's willingness to cooperate with the government even as the Awami League remains banned raises concerns about selective inclusivity and manufactured consent. Furthermore, the NCP's alliance with radical Islamist student groups and its push to replace Bangladesh's secular 1972 Constitution have alarmed the military and moderate political actors alike. The army, which identifies deeply with the legacy of the Liberation War, has made clear that any deviation toward Islamist or authoritarian rule is a red line. Foreign Policy Missteps and Internal Discontent Yunus's foreign policy gaffes have only compounded his domestic troubles. His comment in China suggesting that Northeast India is 'landlocked' and that Bangladesh serves as its 'guardian of the ocean' provoked a diplomatic backlash. His support for Chinese investment and controversial infrastructure projects like the Rakhine Corridor have further alienated India and emboldened internal critics who accuse him of compromising national sovereignty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Even more awkward was his personal request to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prevent Sheikh Hasina from speaking publicly while in exile—a request Modi reportedly declined. His subsequent comments attacking Indian media for allegedly spreading 'fake news' have not helped ease tensions. Legitimacy in Question For any election to be legitimate, it must be inclusive, transparent, and timely. The announced April 2026 timeline fails on at least two of those fronts. It is not timely—dozens of parties, including the BNP and CPB, have demanded elections by December 2025. And it is not inclusive—the exclusion of the Awami League renders the entire process questionable at best, a sham at worst. Yunus's promise of holding 'the most beautiful election ever' rings hollow in the face of these exclusions and delays. The notion that the Awami League is no longer a 'political party' but a criminal organisation, as Yunus claims, is not a legal or moral argument—it is a political one, and a dangerous one at that. It shuts the door on reconciliation, pluralism, and democratic norms. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What Lies Ahead Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. Either the interim government course-corrects and ensures an inclusive, fair election before the military's deadline of December 2025, or the country risks a deeper descent into instability. If Yunus persists in sidelining key political players, alienating the military, and engaging in geopolitical adventurism, he may find himself not the harbinger of reform but the architect of yet another failed transition. A truly democratic Bangladesh cannot be built on the exclusion of its founding political party, however flawed its recent leadership might appear to be. Legitimacy cannot be proclaimed—it must be earned through action, transparency, and inclusion. Without the Awami League, the upcoming elections will not be a celebration of democracy but a cautionary tale of how 'revolutions', even though born in the name of reform, can lose their way. The author is Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies & Analyses (MP-IDSA). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India Today
12-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Awami League ban: Did Yunus govt give in to street politics pressures?
In a dramatic turn of events, the interim government of Bangladesh has announced a sweeping ban on the activities of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League under the country's anti-terrorism law. This includes a prohibition on all political operations, online presence and organisational activity, pending the trial of the party and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal (Bangladesh) (ICT).A press release issued by the government late on May 9 declared: 'The council of advisers decided to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in the cyber-space, under the anti-terrorism law in the interests of security and sovereignty of the country, the security of the leaders and workers of the July [2024] uprising and the plaintiff and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal.'advertisementThe same statement also indicated that a new political framework, known as the 'July Declaration', would be finalised and published within the next 30 working unprecedented move follows closely on the heels of mounting public and political pressure, most notably from the National Citizen Party (NCP), whose southern chief organiser Hasnat Abdullah had issued an ultimatum earlier in the evening. Hasnat demanded that the interim government declare a concrete roadmap to outlaw the Awami League within the hour, threatening a mass mobilisation otherwise.'We want to clearly tell the advisers not to make any delay in banning the Awami League. We still have belief in you. You just ban Awami League,' Hasnat had warned during a charged public address. When no decision was forthcoming by the stipulated deadline, Hasnat announced the beginning of the 'March to Jamuna'—a reference to the official residence of chief advisor to the government Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka. Protesters immediately began mobilising from Shahbagh to the Rajashik Intersection, the latter cordoned off swiftly by law enforcement in anticipation of possible events culminated in an emergency meeting of the government's advisory council, chaired by law, justice and parliamentary affairs advisor Asif Nazrul. At around 10:55 pm, Nazrul confirmed the decision to impose a blanket ban on Awami League activities under the anti-terrorism law. The council also approved significant amendments to the country's International Crimes Tribunal Act (ICT Act), enabling the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals but also entire political parties and officially framed as a measure to 'protect the country's security and sovereignty', the swiftness of the government's response, coming mere hours after Hasnat's ultimatum, has triggered speculation about the level of influence the NCP—and its Islamist allies—now wield over state announcement follows a day-long sit-in and rally convened by the NCP and its affiliates. The sit-in, which began on the night of May 8 and extended until midday May 9, was followed by a four-and-a-half-hour-long rally near the Jamuna residence. A stage was erected at the Minto Road intersection, where a range of political actors—from NCP leaders to representatives of Islamist students' organisations and various platforms born out of the July 2024 movement—delivered fiery speeches demanding outlawing of the Awami are questioning whether the interim government, ostensibly independent and technocratic, has given in to populist pressure and allowed itself to be shepherded by the loudest voices on the street. The NCP, while not formally part of the interim authority, has positioned itself as a moral guardian of the post-July political order, frequently invoking nationalist rhetoric and capitalising on the anti-Awami League sentiment that erupted during the July 2024 raises troubling implications for the principle of neutrality in transitional governance. If the state's most consequential decisions—including a ban on a historic political party—are taken in the shadow of street ultimatums and choreographed rallies, it begs the question of who truly while the government has promised to release the 'July Declaration' within 30 days, the lack of transparency regarding its contents fuels concerns about a wholesale restructuring of political norms without due consultation or legal invocation of the anti-terrorism law also sets a potentially dangerous precedent. Critics warn that by applying such sweeping legal instruments against a mainstream political party—regardless of its alleged crimes—the state may be opening a proverbial Pandora's Box of selective justice, where political adversaries can be silenced through broad-brush is equally notable that the amendment to the ICT Act allows entire parties to be tried. This blurs the line between individual accountability and collective punishment, raising legal and ethical concerns about due sum, the decision to ban the Awami League marks a seismic shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, one that could either usher in a new era of accountability or set the stage for authoritarian overreach cloaked in the garb of transitional the government insists the move was necessary to 'ensure the safety of the leaders and activists of the July Movement' and safeguard the tribunal's process, the broader democratic cost of such a ban remains to be seen. Whether this action signals justice or retribution will likely depend on what comes next, and on whether the July Declaration offers a genuinely inclusive path to India Today Magazine
Business Recorder
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Bangladesh bans activities of ousted PM Hasina's party following protests
DHAKA: Bangladesh's interim government has banned all activities of the Awami League, the political party of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act, citing national security concerns. The decision, announced late Saturday, follows days of street protests led by the student-driven National Citizen Party, which emerged from last year's uprising that toppled Hasina. Several Islamist and right-wing parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition groups, joined the demonstrations, demanding the Awami League be designated a terrorist organisation. The ban would remain in place until the trial of the party and its leadership over deaths of hundreds of protesters at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed, the government said in a statement. The government also announced an amendment to the ICT Act, allowing the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals but also political parties and organisations. Bangladesh's ailing former premier Khaleda Zia returns home The change clears the way for the Awami League to be tried as a collective entity for alleged crimes committed during its time in power. The Awami League, which was founded in 1949, dismissed the decision as illegitimate, posting on its official Facebook page: 'All decisions of the illegal government are illegal.' The country has seen rising tensions and protests in recent months, after deadly protests forced Hasina to flee to India in August and an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge. Yunus pledged reforms and said the poll could be delayed until 2026. The unrest began in July with student protests against public sector job quotas, but quickly morphed into one of the deadliest periods of political violence since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. In October, the government banned the Awami League's student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, labeling it a 'terrorist organisation' for its role in violent attacks on protesters.
Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Bangladesh bans activities of ousted PM Hasina's party following protests
Protesters block Shahbagh Square demanding the ban of the Bangladesh Awami League, the former ruling party, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Goni People celebrate after the interim government officially banned all the activities of the Bangladesh Awami League, until the trial of the party and its leader, following the demand of the protesters, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Goni DHAKA - Bangladesh's interim government has banned all activities of the Awami League, the political party of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act, citing national security concerns. The decision, announced late Saturday, follows days of street protests led by the student-driven National Citizen Party, which emerged from last year's uprising that toppled Hasina. Several Islamist and right-wing parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition groups, joined the demonstrations, demanding the Awami League be designated a terrorist organisation. The ban would remain in place until the trial of the party and its leadership over deaths of hundreds of protesters at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed, the government said in a statement. The government also announced an amendment to the ICT Act, allowing the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals but also political parties and organisations. The change clears the way for the Awami League to be tried as a collective entity for alleged crimes committed during its time in power. The Awami League, which was founded in 1949, dismissed the decision as illegitimate, posting on its official Facebook page: 'All decisions of the illegal government are illegal.' The country has seen rising tensions and protests in recent months, after deadly protests forced Hasina to flee to India in August and an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge. Yunus pledged reforms and said the poll could be delayed until 2026. The unrest began in July with student protests against public sector job quotas, but quickly morphed into one of the deadliest periods of political violence since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. In October, the government banned the Awami League's student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, labeling it a 'terrorist organisation' for its role in violent attacks on protesters. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bangladesh bans activities of ousted PM Hasina's party following protests
People celebrate after the interim government officially banned all the activities of the Bangladesh Awami League, until the trial of the party and its leader, following the demand of the protesters, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 10, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Goni DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's interim government has banned all activities of the Awami League, the political party of deposed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act, citing national security concerns. The decision, announced late Saturday, follows days of street protests led by the student-driven National Citizen Party, which emerged from last year's uprising that toppled Hasina. Several Islamist and right-wing parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition groups, joined the demonstrations, demanding the Awami League be designated a terrorist organisation. The ban would remain in place until the trial of the party and its leadership over deaths of hundreds of protesters at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed, the government said in a statement. The government also announced an amendment to the ICT Act, allowing the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals but also political parties and organisations. The change clears the way for the Awami League to be tried as a collective entity for alleged crimes committed during its time in power. The Awami League, which was founded in 1949, dismissed the decision as illegitimate, posting on its official Facebook page: 'All decisions of the illegal government are illegal.' The country has seen rising tensions and protests in recent months, after deadly protests forced Hasina to flee to India in August and an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge. Yunus pledged reforms and said the poll could be delayed until 2026. The unrest began in July with student protests against public sector job quotas, but quickly morphed into one of the deadliest periods of political violence since Bangladesh's independence in 1971. In October, the government banned the Awami League's student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, labeling it a 'terrorist organisation' for its role in violent attacks on protesters. (Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
