Voting for Bangladesh’s general election is taking place on 12 February 2026, prompting questions within the country and internationally regarding the electoral process. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has described the election as a staged and forced exercise, alleging that the prevailing conditions undermine democracy and deny citizens the right to vote freely.
The Awami League has urged the international community to assess conditions on the ground before recognising the election as legitimate. The party stated that the process could push Bangladesh towards instability and disorder rather than stability.
The Awami League alleged that the election is not merely a transfer of power but part of a strategy to exclude democratic forces. The party said the process is targeting not only the Awami League but also other political parties that oppose extremist ideology and advocate for a liberal state.
According to the party, voters are being intimidated in the name of voting, with threats to life reported in several areas to compel individuals to cast ballots against their will. The Awami League alleged that forced voting is being conducted to demonstrate voter turnout, raising questions about the credibility of the election.
The party claimed that an atmosphere of violence and fear has been created across the country. It alleged incidents of mob lynching, torture, and public assaults in multiple areas. The Awami League stated that citizens feel unsafe on polling day and that fear has replaced democratic participation.
The Awami League further alleged that government-backed forces are remaining silent instead of preventing the violence.
According to the party, not only political workers but also several journalists, human rights activists, and anti-war crime campaigners have been targeted during the election period. The Awami League claimed that false murder charges have been filed against these individuals and that they have been imprisoned to prevent the truth from emerging.
The party stated that prisons are filled not only with Awami League supporters but also with individuals advocating democracy and human rights, indicating what it described as suppression of freedom of expression.
The Awami League also expressed concern over the safety of minorities. It alleged that millions of minority citizens are being targeted as Awami League supporters and subjected to violence. The party claimed that open threats and killings have occurred in several areas.
According to the Awami League, the administration has failed to act, placing the future of minorities at risk.
The party further alleged that women, who constitute nearly half of Bangladesh’s voters, are being excluded from national policy-making. It stated that despite claims of strengthening democracy, women’s participation is being overlooked.
The Awami League also raised concerns about security, alleging that hundreds of police stations across the country have been looted and thousands of weapons stolen, with no recovery reported. Despite this, elections are being conducted, which the party described as a serious security concern.
The party claimed that militant offenders were released from prison before the election schedule was announced, contributing to violence and disorder.
The Awami League also raised questions regarding organisations such as Jamaat-e-Islami, alleging that anti-Awami League and extremist groups have been given free rein to carry out violence, resulting in what it described as an imbalanced electoral process.
The party further alleged that the current government is acting unilaterally and undermining democratic balance.
The Awami League described a referendum conducted by the Yunus government as unconstitutional. It alleged that government resources were used to secure a ‘yes’ vote, asserting that the outcome was predetermined.
According to the Awami League, the referendum represents a step towards ending secularism and an attempt to dismantle the Constitution established through the sacrifices of the country’s war heroes.
