DHAKA, Bangladesh — From her exile in India, Bangladesh’s ousted leader Sheikh Hasina has sharply criticized the country’s upcoming Feb. 12 election, calling it exclusionary and illegitimate after her party, the former ruling Awami League, was barred from participating.
Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia over her 2024 crackdown on a student uprising that toppled her 15-year rule, warned in an email to The Associated Press that without inclusive and free elections, Bangladesh risks prolonged political instability.
“Each time political participation is denied to a significant portion of the population, it deepens resentment, delegitimizes institutions, and creates the conditions for future instability,” Hasina said.
Election Context
Over 127 million voters are eligible to participate in what is being called the most consequential Bangladeshi election in decades. Voters will also consider a constitutional referendum on sweeping reforms.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, assumed power after Hasina fled on Aug. 5, 2024, promising a free and fair election. However, critics question whether the vote will meet democratic standards, especially following the ban on Awami League participation.
Yunus’ office stated that security forces will ensure order, prevent coercion, and facilitate foreign observation. About 500 international monitors, including delegations from the European Union and the Commonwealth, are expected to oversee the polls.
Rising Political Tensions
Since Hasina’s ouster, Bangladesh has faced political unrest, alleged arbitrary arrests, and growing concerns over press freedoms. Critics have also warned of rising influence of Islamist groups and attacks on minorities.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, son of the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as a leading contender. Rahman returned from self-imposed exile in December 2025 and has pledged to restore stability. His main competitor is a coalition of 11 parties led by Jamaat-e-Islami, previously restricted under Hasina’s administration.
Hasina Calls for Political Reconciliation
Hasina dismissed the death sentence against her as the ruling of a “kangaroo court” and urged Bangladeshi parties to break the cycle of bans and boycotts that she said has long destabilized the nation.
“Bangladesh needs a legitimate government that governs with the genuine consent of the people. That is the best way for the nation to heal its wounds,” she said.
With elections looming, the South Asian nation faces a high-stakes test of democracy, political inclusion, and stability.
