Bangladesh’s interim government chief, Muhammad Yunus, has issued a stark warning about potential disruptions to the upcoming general election. He stated that significant forces, both domestically and internationally, are poised to undermine the polls following the disqualification of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party from participating. Yunus indicated that these powerful entities will actively attempt to thwart the electoral process, with the possibility of sudden attacks.
Speaking at a recent meeting, Yunus described the election as inherently ‘challenging.’ He anticipates a deliberate ‘planned campaign of propaganda’ originating from both within Bangladesh and abroad. A key concern highlighted is the anticipated spread of sophisticated disinformation, including AI-generated images and videos, across social media and online platforms, aimed at manipulating public opinion and sowing discord.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has publicly declared her intention to ‘restore’ democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking for the first time since her removal from power last year, Hasina criticized the current political climate. She announced that millions of her supporters would stage a boycott of the forthcoming election, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with the electoral conditions. Hasina, who has been residing in India since August 5th of the previous year, was compelled to leave office following a significant student-led protest movement. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus returned to lead an interim administration shortly thereafter, claiming to have been chosen by the students. The Yunus-led government subsequently banned all Awami League activities, citing national security reasons, and initiated trials against Hasina and other party leaders in absentia. The Election Commission also rescinded the Awami League’s registration, effectively barring them from contesting future elections. In the absence of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former premier Khaleda Zia, is now considered a leading contender in the upcoming polls. Despite the ban, Awami League supporters have engaged in sporadic street demonstrations in Dhaka, leading to numerous arrests, including several junior leaders detained for unauthorized processions.