The shadow of controversy looms large over Bangladesh’s February 2026 elections. Awami League, the nation’s dominant political force now sidelined by a ban, has unleashed a blistering attack, labeling the polls a ‘control apparatus’ that nurtures radicalism over true democracy.
In a viral X post, the party dismantled the narrative: ‘Peddled as democratic revival, this is exclusion by design.’ Boasting 60% voter allegiance, their prohibition alienates the electorate’s core. ‘Democracy thrives on rivalry, not rival elimination. Banning us isn’t legitimacy—it’s authoritarianism.’
Recalling Hasina’s rule, where all parties competed freely, they refute excuses of past failures. Boycotts explain turnout dips, not bans—and ignoring this distinction is reckless. ‘Suppress the primary democratic bulwark, and you empower extremists. Publicly spurned factions linked to graft, trafficking, and laundering now gain prominence. History proves: Optionless votes spawn unrest.’
A stark warning to the world follows: Reject this engineered outcome. ‘Awami League’s absence murders democracy, with repercussions far beyond our frontiers.’ Hasina’s regime collapsed amid upheaval; she’s abroad, facing capital punishment and decades behind bars. Awami League’s rally cry amplifies fears of a polarized Bangladesh, where electoral integrity hangs by a thread.