Ousted ex-PM Hasina's Awami League barred from contesting Bangladesh polls after EC suspends registration

Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission, confirmed the development to Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star.

Aslo Read: Bangladesh's interim government bans ousted former PM Sheikh Hasina's Awami League

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the EC secretariat, he said.

He told the newspaper, "As you are aware, earlier today the Ministry of Home Affairs banned the activities of the Bangladesh Awami League along with its affiliated and associate organisations. In light of that, the Election Commission has decided to suspend the Awami League's registration."

Speaking on the ground under which the registration of the party has been banned, EC Secretary Akhtar Ahmed told the newspaper: "We have taken this step in continuation of the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs."

Interim Government Bans Awami League

The Interim government, which came to power after Hasina's exit from Bangladesh last year amid severe protests against her regime over the anti-job quota issue, banned the Awami League on Saturday under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

All activities of the political outfit have been banned until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders.

Hasina's Awami League is credited with having a long history of freedom struggle of the nation which was formed in 1971.

The interim government made the announcement amid protests across Bangladesh, demanding a ban on Awami League.

July-August Uprising

According to the UN website,  The repression of mass protests in Bangladesh last year that toppled longtime prime minister Sheikh Hasina left as many as 1,400 people dead in just 46 days – the vast majority shot by security forces.

In addition to those killed by the former government’s security and intelligence services alongside Awami League party associates, a report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) into the alleged crimes indicated that thousands were injured, including one youngster who was shot in the hand at point-blank range for throwing stones.

According to the OHCHR report, as many as 12 to 13 per cent of those killed were children. Bangladesh Police also reported that 44 of its officers were killed between 1 July and 15 August 2024.