Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will not be able to exercise her right to vote in the next general election in Bangladesh. The Election Commission of Bangladesh has revoked the voting rights even of her family members including Hasina’s sister Sheikh Rehana, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, daughter Saima Wazed Putul, and Rehana’s daughter Tulip Siddique.
In April, the National Identity Cards (NID) of Sheikh Hasina and 10 members of her family were revoked on the orders of Humayun Kabir, the head of the NID branch of the Election Commission of Bangladesh. It became clear at that time only that they would not be able to vote in the next general election in Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, the Secretary of the Election Commission of Bangladesh said that voting will also be possible from outside the country in the general election in Bangladesh. But those whose NIDs have been revoked will not be able to vote, the Election Commission of Bangladesh said. The same rule will also apply to Hasina and her family members, the Commission Secretary said.
Awami League leaders whose NIDs have been ‘locked’ will not be able to vote
Hasina’s party Awami League has already been banned in Bangladesh. Awami League will not be able to participate in the elections either. However, the party’s leaders and workers will be able to vote. But the commission said that those Awami League leaders abroad whose NIDs have been ‘locked’ will not be able to vote.
Incidentally, the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh may be held as early as February. In his address to the nation on August 5, Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh, said that he wants to hold the parliamentary elections in February before the start of Ramadan next year. He said, “I will send a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner to organise the national elections before the holy Ramadan of 2026.”
Awami League’s 21-Point movement to oust Muhammad Yunus
In August this year, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for Bangladesh to be freed from the influence of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, prompting the Awami League to unveil a 21-point program aimed at “restoring Mujib-Hasina’s Bangladesh.” The former ruling party of India’s neighbouring country formally announced the initiative, pledging a mass movement to bring Hasina back to power.
The plan includes demanding Yunus’s resignation, releasing Awami League leaders and allies, prosecuting those accused of violence during the uprising, protecting national symbols such as the flag, anthem, and constitution, reviving the non-communal and free-thinking spirit of the liberation war.
Party leaders declared that no election can be held in Bangladesh without the Awami League, vowing to remove Yunus before the scheduled polls. “Our goal is to bring back Mujib-Hasina’s Bangladesh, which Yunus has destroyed,” a senior party leader stated.