Bangladesh’s ousted leader Hasina denounces the upcoming election from her exile in India

Bangladesh’s Exiled Leader Criticizes Upcoming Elections, Warns of Instability

From her exile in India, Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sharply criticized the upcoming February 12 election, warning that excluding her Awami League party from the polls could lead to prolonged instability in the South Asian nation.

Hasina, who was ousted in August 2024 following a deadly crackdown on student protests that claimed hundreds of lives, conveyed her concerns in an email to The Associated Press. She argued that the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has deliberately disenfranchised millions of her supporters.

“Each time political participation is denied to a significant portion of the population, it deepens resentment, delegitimizes institutions and creates the conditions for future instability,” Hasina wrote. “A government born of exclusion cannot unite a divided nation.”

The upcoming election represents a critical juncture for Bangladesh’s 170 million citizens. More than 127 million people are eligible to vote in what observers consider the most consequential poll in decades. Voters will also weigh a constitutional referendum proposing sweeping political reforms.

Yunus assumed leadership of the interim government just days after Hasina fled to India on August 5, 2024, amid weeks of violent unrest. His administration has promised a free and fair election, though critics question whether the process can meet democratic standards with the Awami League barred from participation.

In response to concerns, Yunus’ office issued a statement to the AP assuring that security forces would ensure an orderly election without allowing coercion or violence to influence the outcome. The government has invited international observers, including delegations from the European Union and the Commonwealth, to monitor the February 12 polls.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has emerged as the leading contender. Rahman, the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia who died last month, returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-imposed exile. He has promised to prioritize stability for the nation.

Rahman’s main challenger is a coalition of 11 allied groups headed by the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami, which faced severe restrictions under Hasina’s government. Several of its leaders were executed or imprisoned on war crimes charges related to Bangladesh’s 1971 independence war against Pakistan.

Since Hasina’s removal from power, Bangladesh has faced numerous political and security challenges. Human rights organizations and minority groups have accused the interim authorities of failing to protect civil and political rights, while Hasina’s party has alleged arbitrary arrests and deaths of its members in custody—claims the government denies.

Critics have also expressed alarm over growing Islamist influence and attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus. Press freedom concerns have mounted under Yunus’ administration, with journalists facing criminal charges and the offices of two leading newspapers coming under attack by protesters.

Hasina, meanwhile, has dismissed the court that sentenced her to death in absentia as a “kangaroo court.” International rights groups have raised questions about the fairness of her trial on charges of crimes against humanity related to the deadly crackdown on protesters.

In her communication with the AP, Hasina acknowledged that elections during her 15-year rule were sometimes “not truly participatory because major political parties chose to boycott democratic processes.”

“I recognize this was far from ideal,” she conceded, adding that Bangladesh’s political parties must end the cycle of bans and boycotts. “Otherwise, there will be no redemption.”

Looking forward, Hasina emphasized that Bangladesh “needs a legitimate government” that would govern “with the genuine consent of the people,” describing this as “the best way for the nation to heal its wounds.”

As Bangladesh approaches this pivotal moment in its democratic journey, the international community watches closely to see whether the election can deliver the stability and inclusive governance that this strategically important South Asian nation desperately needs after months of turmoil and political transition.