Dhaka [Bangladesh], December 12 (ANI): The Bangladesh Awami League has rejected the election schedule announced by the interim government’s Election Commission for February 12, 2026, calling the move “illegal” and accusing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim administration of being a “killer-fascist” clique that cannot guarantee a free and fair vote.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, the party said it had “closely reviewed the election schedule announced by the illegal, occupying, killer-fascist Yunus clique’s illegal Election Commission” and declared that the current administration is biased and incapable of ensuring transparency, neutrality, or reflecting the people’s will.
“The Bangladesh Awami League has closely reviewed the election schedule announced by the illegal, occupying, killer-fascist Yunus clique’s illegal Election Commission. It is now clear that the current occupying authority is entirely biased and that under their control, it is impossible to ensure a fair and normal environment where transparency, neutrality, and the people’s will can be reflected. Elections are the measure of public popularity. The Awami League is an election-orientated party. The Awami League has the strength, courage, and capacity to stand before the people,” the statement said.
The Awami League noted its electoral record, saying it has contested 13 national elections since its founding, winning nine and forming the government. The party warned that holding elections without its participation would be “a scheme to push the country and the nation into a deep crisis.”
The statement demanded the immediate lifting of restrictions on the Awami League, withdrawal of what it called “fabricated cases” against Sheikh Hasina and other leaders, the unconditional release of all political prisoners, and replacement of the interim government with a neutral caretaker administration before any election.
“Attempting to hold an election while excluding the Bangladesh Awami League–the party that led the Liberation War–along with other political parties and the majority of the population, is a scheme to push the country and the nation into a deep crisis. To prevent the current crisis from escalating, all restrictions imposed on the Bangladesh Awami League must be lifted, all fabricated cases against Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina, national leaders, and people from all walks of life must be withdrawn, all political prisoners must be released unconditionally, and the current deceitful occupying government must be replaced with a neutral caretaker government to hold a free and participatory election. Therefore, the Bangladesh Awami League rejects the announced election schedule that excludes the representatives of the majority of the country’s people,” it added.
Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced on state television BTV and state radio Bangladesh Betar that national elections will be held on February 12, 2026—the first polls since the student-led uprising that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The election day will also include a national referendum on the “July Charter,” which proposes reforms such as curbing executive powers and strengthening judicial independence. Voting will be held for all 300 parliamentary seats, marking the first-ever twin polls in Bangladesh’s history.
Nasir Uddin said candidates can file nomination papers from December 29, 2025, and campaigning will run from January 22, 2026, until 48 hours before the election.
Observers expect the main competition to be between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and Jamaat-e-Islami. The newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP), which led the uprising against Sheikh Hasina, will also contest the elections. (ANI)
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