Awami League’s Deep Roots: Report Highlights Enduring Voter Support

Despite calls for an election boycott by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the interim government’s efforts to downplay their impact, a recent report indicates the Awami League (AL) possesses a substantial and enduring support base in Bangladesh. The party’s resilience is evident even from its 2001 election performance, where it secured 62 seats and garnered over 22 million votes, a showing only slightly behind the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that year. Political analyst Masood Kamal, writing for Deutsche Welle, noted that a significant portion of Awami League supporters remain ideologically committed, irrespective of allegations against party leadership. Kamal criticized the banning of political parties via executive order, labeling it uncharacteristic of a civilized society and questioning the interim government’s stated goal of unity, suggesting it has become a divisive force instead. International human rights organizations, including CIVICUS and Human Rights Watch, have also voiced concerns, urging the interim government to lift bans on political parties, arguing that such actions undermine democratic principles and disenfranchise a large segment of the electorate. Beyond the Awami League, the Jatiya Party also faces exclusion from political discourse and potential bans, raising alarms about a wider crackdown on political pluralism and democratic rights in Bangladesh.