Wed Dec 24 16:21:29 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:
Summary:
The interim government of Bangladesh has declared that the Awami League, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will remain banned and ineligible to participate in the upcoming February 2026 elections. This announcement, the first explicit statement regarding the Awami League’s participation, comes in response to concerns raised by several U.S. lawmakers who urged the interim government to hold inclusive elections. The Awami League’s political activities were banned earlier in 2025, and the party has faced further setbacks, including death sentences for key figures. This marks the first time since 1971 that the Awami League has been barred from contesting an election in Bangladesh.
News Article:
Bangladesh Elections: Awami League Barred Amid International Concerns
NEW DELHI – December 25, 2025 – The political landscape in Bangladesh remains fraught with tension as the interim government has officially confirmed that the Awami League, led by deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, will be barred from participating in the February 2026 elections. This marks the first time in over five decades that the party has been excluded from the electoral process.
The announcement, made by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday, comes a day after U.S. lawmakers, including members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed their concerns in a letter to Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus, advocating for “inclusive elections.”
“Regarding the Awami League, our position is clear,” Alam stated, effectively ruling out the party’s participation. This statement clarifies the interim administration’s stance following months of speculation. The Awami League’s political activities were initially banned in May 2025, followed by a ban on its student wing, Chhatra League, and further complicated by the death sentences handed down to Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal.
While the interim government had previously indicated that “fugitives” would be barred from participating, this is the first explicit confirmation of the Awami League’s exclusion, and appears to be a direct response to growing international pressure. According to the Press Secretary, he was not aware of the letter.
The decision has raised concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of the upcoming elections, particularly given Hasina’s earlier statements suggesting that Awami League supporters may abstain from voting if their party is barred. The situation is being closely monitored both domestically and internationally as Bangladesh approaches the critical electoral period.
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