Awami League

The Awami League, formerly led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is a major political party in Bangladesh. It is currently newsworthy because it has been barred from participating in the upcoming February 12, 2026 elections. This follows the 2024 student-led uprising that led to Hasina's ouster and subsequent exile. Hasina and her niece, UK lawmaker Tulip Siddiq, have also been sentenced to jail on corruption charges. Hasina has denounced the upcoming elections, claiming the Awami League's exclusion deepens resentment. The party's future is uncertain, and its supporters are in limbo. The ban raises concerns about political division and potential unrest in Bangladesh. The situation has also drawn international attention, with Bangladesh expressing displeasure over India allowing Hasina to make a public address while in exile there.