Bangladesh’s Awami League has rejected the national election schedule announced by the interim government’s Election Commission for February 12, 2026. The party described the plan as illegal and said the current administration cannot hold a free, fair, or credible vote.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the Awami League accused the Muhammad Yunus–led interim government of acting as an “occupying authority.” The party said the Election Commission lacks neutrality and is operating under political pressure. According to the Awami League, elections under such conditions would not reflect the will of the people.
The party said it reviewed the announced schedule closely and found it deeply flawed. It argued that transparency and fairness are impossible while the interim administration remains in control. The statement said elections are a true test of public support, and the Awami League has always faced the people through the ballot box.
Awami League Cites Long Electoral History
The Awami League highlighted its long role in Bangladesh’s electoral history. Since its founding, the party has taken part in 13 national elections. It has won nine of them and formed governments that led the country through major political and economic changes.
The party said it has never feared elections. It said it has the strength and confidence to face voters directly. But it warned that an election held without the Awami League would lack legitimacy and push the country into deeper crisis.
According to the party, excluding the Awami League means excluding a large section of the population. It also means sidelining the party that led the Liberation War in 1971 and shaped modern Bangladesh.
Demands Before Any Election
The Awami League placed several conditions before agreeing to any future election. It demanded the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the party and its leaders. It also called for the withdrawal of what it described as fabricated cases against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other senior leaders.
The party further demanded the unconditional release of all political prisoners. It said many arrests were politically motivated and aimed at silencing opposition voices.
Most importantly, the Awami League called for the removal of the current interim government. It demanded the formation of a neutral caretaker government to oversee elections. Only such an arrangement, it said, could ensure a free and participatory vote.
The party warned that holding elections while excluding major political forces would worsen instability. It said such a move would damage democracy and deepen mistrust among citizens.
Election Commission Announces Twin Polls
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced that national elections will be held on February 12, 2026. He made the announcement in a televised address on state media.
These will be the first national elections since the student-led uprising of August 2024, which forced Sheikh Hasina to leave office. Parliament was later dissolved, and an interim government took power.
On the same day as the election, voters will also take part in a national referendum on the “July Charter.” The proposed charter includes reforms such as limiting executive power and strengthening judicial independence. All 300 parliamentary seats will be contested at the same time.
According to the Election Commission, nomination papers can be submitted from December 29, 2025. Campaigning will begin on January 22, 2026, and end 48 hours before polling day. If held as planned, this will be the first time Bangladesh conducts elections and a national referendum on the same day.
Political Tensions Remain High
The Awami League’s rejection of the schedule highlights deep political divisions. The party and its supporters argue that the interim government has failed to act neutrally. They accuse it of using state institutions to sideline elected political forces.
Critics say the Election Commission has not addressed concerns about political arrests, media restrictions, and limits on opposition activity. Without resolving these issues, they warn, the election risks being seen as one-sided.
As Bangladesh moves closer to 2026, uncertainty remains high. The Awami League insists that without its participation, any election will lack public trust. The party says only an inclusive and neutral process can restore democratic order.
