30 years and a student uprising later, Sheikh Hasina's 'boat' symbol absent from Bangladesh polls

The circumstances of Awami League's absence is a first for the party which has governed Bangladesh for over two decades.

Published on: Feb 12, 2026 3:33 PM IST

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For the first time in 30 years, the legacy political party, the Awami League, is absent from the ballot for Bangladesh's general elections. Dhaka will be voting on Thursday in a crucial poll which will shape the trajectory of the nation as it reels from nearly two years of political turmoil.

Thursday's election also marks the first since the 2024 student-led movement toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, prompting the former prime minister to flee to India. Follow LIVE updates on Bangladesh elections here

Awami League is one of the oldest political parties in Bangladesh, with one of its co-founders being Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, former president and prime minister and Sheikh Hasina's father.

Following the mass unrest in Bangladesh in the aftermath of the 'Gen-Z' movement, Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government were heavily scrutinised due to its violent crackdown on protestors.

Amid this scrutiny, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, banned all party activities for the Awami League on May 12, 2025.

Soon after this, the Bangladesh Election Commission suspended the party's registration, prohibiting it from functioning in the nation.

While this is not the first time the Awami league is not on the ballot, it is a first for the party which has governed Bangladesh for over two decades. What makes the 2026 polls different is that the absence is due to the party being banned.

Also Read | One big party, Oppn disbanded: How Bangladesh poll resembles striking similarity with Pakistan

The Yunus government's ban on Awami League's registration was set to stay in place till the trials at the Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (BD-ICT) were completed.

In November 2025, Hasina was tried in absentia and sentenced to a death penalty. The chares against her and two other officials from the Awami league government relate to allegations including enforced disappearances, killings, people being burned alive, illegal detention, inhuman torture, looting, arson and crimes against humanity.

As a result of this verdict, Awami League found itself barred from contesting the elections.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Danita Yadav
Danita Yadav is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times. Based in New Delhi, Danita serves as a pivotal voice in international reportage in the team. Operating under the mandate of delivering "without the noise", Danita excels at distilling complex geopolitical developments into lucid, objective narratives which prioritise factual accuracy over sensationalism. In HT, Danita has been recognised for her breaking news efforts and time-bound coverage of the Air India crash, which has driven over 2 million users to the website through trusted, factual coverage of the incident. Thriving in high-pressure editorial environments, Danita has also cultivated a reputation for navigating the nuances of global diplomacy and cross-border policy. With over four years of experience in the journalism industry, Danita has spent her years diving deep into the coverage of international relations and global conflicts. She has previously worked with the news teams at Outlook India and Times Network, covering a wide range of beats and topics, from education curricula and student protests to Indian politics and international conflicts such as the Ukraine, Gaza, and Sudan wars. Danita earned her Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Beyond the newsroom and her love for international relations, you'll find Danita 'geeking' out over books, music and BTS. Her appreciation for global pop culture and storytelling also added to her unique perspective on the "soft power" dynamics that increasingly have shaped international relations in the ever-changing global order.Read More

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