A group of British Members of Parliament has publicly expressed deep concern over Bangladesh’s upcoming national election scheduled for February 2026, warning that the exclusion of major political parties and restrictions on international observers could render the polls neither free, fair, nor democratic.
In a joint statement released under the House of Commons letterhead, MPs Bob Blackman, Jim Shannon, Jas Athwal, and Chris Law described Bangladesh as standing “at a crossroads” following the formation of the unelected interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
The MPs stressed that “all right-minded people hope that these polls will contribute to a just, stable and prosperous Bangladesh,” but emphasised that genuine participation by all major parties is essential. They explicitly criticised the current ban on certain widely supported political parties, stating: “Any election held without the participation of all major parties cannot be considered democratic. Dr Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, itself unelected, should not have imposed this restriction on Bangladesh’s voters.”
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The statement arrives at a sensitive moment. Recent Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) reports have already exposed a pattern of “ghost cases” and politically motivated filings in the aftermath of the July 2024 uprising, with over 56% of probed cases deemed false or baseless and up to 90% of accused in others found unconnected to alleged crimes. Critics argue these developments, combined with the exclusion of major opposition forces, risk undermining electoral legitimacy and investor confidence.
As Bangladesh approaches its first national vote since the dramatic political transition, international scrutiny is intensifying. Whether the interim government responds by broadening political space and inviting credible observers—or maintains current restrictions—will likely shape perceptions of the 2026 election’s credibility and Bangladesh’s long-term democratic trajectory.
The statement further warned that millions of ordinary Bangladeshis could be disenfranchised, leading many to simply not vote at all. It called for the immediate lifting of barriers to impartial international observers, preferably endorsed by the United Nations, as well as the UK and Bangladesh’s other longstanding allies.
The MPs also highlighted broader human rights and rule-of-law issues, pointing to “credible reports of politically motivated detentions, systemic failures in the justice system and arbitrary arrests of members of the media.” They urged the British Government and international bodies to press the interim administration to uphold democratic principles, protect civil rights, and ensure the elections are genuinely free, fair, and inclusive.
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While the statement does not represent official UK Government policy, it carries symbolic weight given the signatories’ cross-party representation and the UK’s longstanding role as one of Bangladesh’s closest trade, development, and diplomatic partners.
The MPs avoided partisan endorsement of any Bangladeshi political party; instead, they focused on process.
“The country’s politics have been polarised for too long… In order to achieve national reconciliation—not to mention putting Bangladesh’s stalled economic development back on track—any future government needs to rule with the people’s genuine consent.”
They concluded by calling for the establishment of a “culture of political pluralism” in which opposition parties can play a constructive role, framing the February election as a critical opportunity to break the cycle of polarisation and rebuild public trust.
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