Sheikh Hasina: Let the voters decide Awami League’s future

Awami League President and five-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly condemned the upcoming national election and referendum process, describing it as fundamentally unfair and unconstitutional.

In her latest public remarks, she demanded that Dr. Muhammad Yunus immediately resign from his position as chief adviser of the interim government and called for the formation of a neutral caretaker administration to conduct genuinely free and fair polls.

Speaking to supporters virtually, Sheikh Hasina asserted that neither the Awami League, freedom fighters, nor any party in the 14-party alliance would be able to participate in the announced election. She claimed that repeated surveys show the Awami League enjoys the support of at least 50% of voters—the very reason, she alleged, that the party has been banned.

“What right does someone have to make such big statements after seizing power by force?” she asked, directly addressing Dr. Yunus. “Come forward. Contest an election in any constituency with any worker of my Awami League—let us see whom the people truly want.”

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She accused Yunus of lacking the courage to face such a contest, branding him “the biggest fraudster in Bangladesh” who illegally seized power and is now attempting to legitimise it through manipulated elections.

Sheikh Hasina rejected the accusations levelled against her and the party, particularly the claim that she was responsible for the deaths of 1,400 people. “I have never killed anyone,” she said. “I worked to establish people’s rights and for their socio-economic development.” She challenged those making the allegations to produce any credible evidence or accounts.

She described the current situation as one of complete destruction of the peaceful system her government had built. “In this ruined state, they are holding elections. Why can’t the Awami League participate?” she questioned.

While acknowledging the death sentence reportedly issued against her personally, she emphasised that the real issue was the blanket exclusion of the Awami League as an organisation. “If the people do not vote for us, fine — we will accept it,” she stated.

“But why are they not allowing us to contest at all? What right does Dr. Yunus have to bar us from the election and ban the Awami League?”

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Highlighting the historic role of the party, she reminded the audience: “This Awami League brought independence to Bangladesh, secured the right to speak in Bengali, established International Mother Language Day—everything was done under the leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”

The exiled prime minister sharply criticised the conduct of the planned referendum, particularly the “Yes” vote campaign. She pointed out that ballot papers were being prepared with “Yes” stamps already distributed, government employees, armed forces, police, RAB, BGB, Ansar, and media were all being mobilised to push for a “Yes” outcome, and dissenters faced harassment, violence, and arson.

“Is this an election? How can this possibly be free and fair?” she asked. “There is no option for ’no’—everything must be ‘Yes.’ Is this the duty of government employees?”

She concluded that no credible election could take place under the present conditions and reiterated her core demands:

– Immediate resignation of Dr. Yunus

– Formation of a new caretaker government if necessary

– End to all irregularities

– Preparation of a transparent voter list with photographs

– Use of transparent ballot boxes

– A truly free, fair, and impartial election

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Sheikh Hasina expressed confidence that “the people will surely triumph” and condemned what she called systematic killings, murders, and enforced disappearances of thousands of Awami League leaders and activists—including inside prisons at district and upazila levels. She called for thorough domestic and international investigations into these incidents and demanded justice.

Ending her address, she appealed for cooperation to restore peace and security across the country.