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Despite ban, Bangladesh elections open new political space for Awami League
Despite ban, Bangladesh elections open new political space for Awami League Premium
It was the morning of February 13, a day after Bangladesh’s parliamentary election delivered a landslide victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). The lock on the closed Chaklahat union office of the Awami League in the northern district of Panchagarh was removed. The office had remained locked for 18 months after the fall of the Awami League Government and the subsequent ban on the party’s activities.
Its reopening took place in the presence of the Panchagarh Sadar upazila BNP President, who stood beside local Awami League leaders and activists. The BNP leader, a former union parishad chairman, said he was unaware that the office had remained locked and claimed he would have opened it earlier had he known.
Similar incidents took place across Bangladesh in the days since the February 12 election. From Faridpur to Patuakhali, Khulna to Rajbari, Naogaon to Dinajpur, Kurigram to Narayanganj, Mymensingh to Shariatpur, and Noakhali, Awami League leaders and activists have reopened closed party offices, hoisted the national flag, displayed portraits of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Sheikh Hasina, and chanted “Joy Bangla”. In the capital, a group of Juba Mohila League, the women’s wing of the AL, staged a brief rally on February 20 at the main gate of Sheikh Hasina’s political office in Dhanmondi, a site that had previously been attacked multiple times.
Awami League offices have now been reopened in at least 15 districts. In most cases, leaders and activists arrived early in the morning, raised the flag, chanted slogans, and left within a short time. Several individuals have been arrested by police in connection with these incidents. Leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated bodies were also seen paying tribute at Shaheed Minar on February 21, International Mother Language Day. However, reactions to the reopening of offices have varied. In some areas, AL activists unlocked offices without obstruction; in others, they faced resistance, including BNP affiliates and anti-discrimination student movement activists who tore down banners, vandalised offices, and, in some cases, set them on fire before re-locking the premises.
Despite these local reopenings, AL and its affiliated organisations remain officially banned from political activities. Most party offices, from the central headquarters to ward-level branches, had been closed since the 2024 uprising. Some buildings were partially damaged by fire or looting, and furniture and equipment were stolen, including from the party’s central office.
Political analysts said the timing of these reopenings is significant. Under the interim government, even small gatherings of AL activists often led to immediate arrests. The current wave of activities indicates that activists believe enforcement may be less stringent under the new administration.
Dhaka-based Political analyst M. Zakaria said Awami League workers were taking advantage of what he described as the BNP’s post-election confidence. “Perhaps in some places, BNP locals might be showing gentle gestures to the League for the time being, but in the long run, the League will be a potential threat to the BNP. Moreover, the vote bank of the League that has voted for the BNP will return to League,” he said.
The reopening of Awami League offices has sparked sharp political reactions. Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and opposition chief whip in the new Parliament, alleged that the incidents could not have occurred without the BNP’s “green signal.”
“Without the green signal from the BNP, the AL would not have had the opportunity or courage to do this,” he said, warning that attempts to rehabilitate the party would face resistance.
From exile in India, Sheikh Hasina challenged the legitimacy of the February 12 election, describing it as a “disgraceful chapter” for Bangladesh’s democracy. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, also called the election a “complete sham,” though he signalled openness to dialogue with BNP leader Tarique Rahman. However, analysts say the path forward for the Awami League remains uncertain as the party is banned, its top leadership is either in exile or facing legal proceedings, and its organisational structure has been severely disrupted.
According to the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), 1,785 cases had been filed nationwide against Awami League leaders and supporters as of November 19, 2025. Ms. Hasina has been named in 663 cases, including 453 murder cases. Chargesheets have been submitted in over 100 cases, and more than 120 individuals, including former Ministers and MPs, have been arrested.
AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Joint General Secretary of the Awami League, told The Hindu that many party offices had been occupied or attacked after August 5 and that grassroots activists are now re-emerging as tensions have eased. However, he alleged his party leaders are still being arrested and attacked while holding programs.
“Our grassroots leaders and activists are now standing up spontaneously and those who carried out mob attacks are no longer visible. As a democratic party, we are prepared to face justice and hold talks provided there is a fair and enabling environment. We hope the new government will lift the ban imposed on Awami League,” he said.
However, M. Zakaria said the Awami League’s path ahead would be difficult, as it remains the BNP’s principal rival. He said that although the ban may eventually be lifted after legal proceedings conclude, a full return to mainstream politics let alone regaining power would remain a formidable challenge.
When asked how BNP will deal with the issue, writer and analyst Rezaul Karim Rony said the BNP is likely to prioritise its promised Truth and Healing Commission and legal accountability processes. “Allowing limited political space like opening offices does not mean rehabilitation,” he said, adding that judicial proceedings against Awami League leaders would continue.
He said the ban on the Awami League is unlikely to be lifted immediately, as judicial proceedings against its leaders, including Sheikh Hasina, are expected to continue. Even if some political space is tolerated, he argued, a full normalisation of the party in Bangladesh’s politics would not be easy.
Published - February 23, 2026 04:41 pm IST
Bangladesh / election / politics
Source: TheHindu
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