DHAKA (Kashmir English): The interim government of Bangladesh has confirmed that the Awami League, led by ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, will not be allowed to 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, following a meeting of the Advisory Council of the interim government, Shafikul 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 de-listed the party, the Awami League will not be able to take part in this election,” the secretary said.
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.
Bangladesh’s next general election
Bangladesh’s next general election is scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. This will be the first national vote since the July 2024 uprising, which led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
