The Bangladesh Awami League’s former Organizing Secretary, ex–Member of Parliament, and former Education Minister, Mohibul Hassan Chowdhury (Advocate), has sent an 18-page legal notice to UNDP Resident Representative Stefan Liller. The letter calls for the immediate suspension of the $180 million “Ballot” electoral assistance project and outlines six major demands.
According to the Awami League (AL), the UNDP’s involvement in the project, amid what it describes as political repression and undemocratic actions by the interim government, violates the UN’s principles of neutrality, democratic inclusion, and human rights.
The letter states that, since its founding in 1949, the Awami League has been an integral part of Bangladesh’s democratic and liberation history—from Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s leadership of the independence struggle to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s economic development initiatives.
However, the party alleges that over 44,000 members have been arrested since August 2024, and that its registration was cancelled on 12 May 2025, effectively banning all political activity. Under such conditions, the UNDP’s election assistance is “legitimizing repression,” the letter claims.
Key Allegations Raised by the Awami League
Violation of UNDP Neutrality
The UN’s official policy on electoral assistance prohibits taking sides with or against any political party. The Awami League alleges that the Ballot project is being implemented in coordination with the interim government without consulting or including AL, thereby breaching neutrality.
Violations of International Law
The letter cites:
- UDHR Article 21 – the right to participate in government;
- ICCPR Article 25 – the right to vote and be elected;
- UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention – prohibition of politically motivated arrests.
- Undemocratic Actions by the Interim Government
- The Awami League accuses the interim authority of:
- Misusing the Anti-Terrorism Act to cancel AL’s registration on 12 May 2025;
- Mass arrests, torture, and politically motivated ICT prosecutions;
- Amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) to bar “fugitive” candidates and benefit smaller parties;
- Excessively using presidential ordinances under Article 93 of the Constitution.
Breakdown of the Democratic Process
The party argues that no election can be free, fair, or inclusive without the participation of the Awami League, the country’s oldest mainstream political party.
UNDP’s “Irresponsibility”
The letter accuses the UN agency of:
- Continuing the project amid political repression;
- Failing to consult the Awami League;
- Not investigating alleged human rights violations.
The Awami League’s Six Demands
- Immediate suspension of the Ballot project until neutrality and inclusiveness are ensured.
- Unconditional release of all political prisoners and guaranteed right to peaceful political activity.
- Restoration of AL’s party registration and withdrawal of political bans.
- Equal campaign and media access for all political parties.
- UN-supervised human rights monitoring, including investigation of arrests, torture, and political cases.
- Nationwide political dialogue involving all parties, aimed at electoral reforms and a peaceful democratic transition.
Warning Issued to the UNDP
The letter cautions that if the UNDP continues providing support “under a repressive environment,” it will “undermine democracy and damage the credibility of the United Nations.”
The UNDP has not yet issued any official response. However, the letter has sparked renewed international debate over the legitimacy, neutrality, and democratic credibility of Bangladesh’s upcoming electoral process.
