The Awami League rejected the new election schedule on Thursday. It called the Election Commission “illegal and biased.” The party accused the commission of working under the “illegal, occupying and killer fascist Yunus clique.” The statement said the authorities are “entirely biased” and cannot provide a fair election.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced that Bangladesh will hold its first national election after Sheikh Hasina’s removal on February 12.

Interim Government Bars Awami League

The interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, banned Sheikh Hasina’s party from contesting the elections. As a result, the Awami League cannot register its candidates.

The party said, “The Awami League has the strength, courage and capacity to stand before the people…Attempting to hold an election while excluding the…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.”

The Awami League demanded that the government lift all restrictions. It asked for all “fabricated cases” against Hasina and other leaders to be withdrawn. The party also demanded the release of all political prisoners. It further insisted that the interim government step aside. A “neutral caretaker government” should supervise a free and participatory election.

Election Schedule and Political Context

Nasir Uddin said campaigning will start on January 22. It will end at 7:30 am on February 10. Voting will take place for 300 parliamentary seats. With the Awami League barred, Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) now leads the race.

Nasir Uddin also announced that a national referendum on the “July charter” will be held on the same day. The charter proposes reforms after Hasina’s removal.