From her current exile in New Delhi, former Bangladeshi Prime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued a stark warning: millions of her Awami League supporters will boycott next year’s national election. This comes after her party was officially barred from contesting the polls, a decision that has sparked significant political unrest.
Hasina, 78, emphasized that she would not return to Bangladesh if any government formed after these elections excluded her party. She has remained in India since August 2024, when she fled following a deadly, student-led uprising that led to her dramatic fall from power after 15 consecutive years.
Since her ouster, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been governing Bangladesh, with a promise to hold national elections next February.
Speaking in emailed responses, her first public media engagement since losing power, Ms. Hasina stated, “The ban on the Awami League is not only unjust, it is self-defeating.” She elaborated on the implications of this decision: “The next government must have electoral legitimacy. Millions of people support the Awami League, so as things stand, they will not vote. You cannot disenfranchise millions of people if you want a political system that works.”
Former Leader Hopes for Awami League’s Inclusion
Bangladesh boasts over 126 million registered voters. Historically, the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party have been the dominant forces in the country’s political landscape, with the BNP now widely expected to secure a victory in the upcoming elections.
The Election Commission had previously suspended the Awami League’s registration in May. This followed a broader ban on all party activities by the Yunus-led government, citing concerns over national security threats and ongoing war crimes investigations targeting senior Awami League leaders.
“We are not asking Awami League voters to support other parties,” Ms. Hasina affirmed. “We still hope common sense will prevail and we will be allowed to contest the election ourselves.” She did not disclose whether any informal discussions were underway with Bangladeshi authorities regarding her party’s participation.
Representatives for Mr. Yunus have not yet responded to requests for comment on these developments.
Ms. Hasina’s long tenure saw significant economic transformation in Bangladesh, though it was also marked by accusations of human rights abuses and the suppression of dissent. She secured a fourth consecutive term in 2024, an election largely boycotted by the main opposition, whose key leaders were either imprisoned or living in exile.
The International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh’s domestic war crimes court, has concluded its proceedings against Ms. Hasina. She now faces charges of crimes against humanity stemming from the violent crackdown on student protests in mid-2024.
A United Nations report indicated that as many as 1,400 people might have been killed during the protests between July 15 and August 5, 2024, with thousands more sustaining injuries, predominantly from gunfire by security forces. This period represented the most severe violence in Bangladesh since its 1971 war of independence.
Prosecutors further allege that she oversaw enforced disappearances and the torture of opposition activists in clandestine detention centers operated by security agencies. A verdict in her case is anticipated on November 13.
Ms. Hasina has vehemently denied all charges, asserting she had no personal involvement in the use of lethal force or any other alleged crimes. She dismissed the legal actions as a “politically motivated charade,” claiming they were brought by “kangaroo courts” where “guilty verdicts are a foregone conclusion,” and that she was largely denied adequate notice or a meaningful chance to defend herself.
No Immediate Plans to Return Home
Despite the current political turmoil, Ms. Hasina expressed confidence that the Awami League would eventually reclaim a significant role in Bangladesh’s future, whether in government or opposition, adding that her family’s leadership was not essential for this return.
Her son and advisor, Sajeeb Wazed, who resides in Washington, had previously indicated that he might consider leading the party if requested.
“It’s really not about me or my family,” Ms. Hasina reiterated. “For Bangladesh to achieve the future we all want, there must be a return to constitutional rule and political stability. No single person or family defines our country’s future.”
Recalling her family’s tragic history – her father and three brothers were killed in a 1975 military coup while she and her sister were abroad – Ms. Hasina noted that she lives freely in Delhi but remains vigilant.
An observer recently saw Ms. Hasina enjoying a quiet walk through Delhi’s historic Lodhi Garden, accompanied by what appeared to be her personal security detail. She reportedly acknowledged passersby who recognized her with a nod.
“I would of course love to go home,” she said, “so long as the government there was legitimate, the constitution was being upheld, and law and order genuinely prevailed.”
Her departure had initially led to targeted violence against Awami League workers. While the streets have largely remained calm since then, clashes did erupt earlier this month during the signing of a charter aimed at state reform.