• Sheikh Hasina warns of mass voter boycott after Awami League is barred from elections.
• Current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has decided to exclude the Awami League.
• Hasina faces charges of crimes against humanity stemming from a violent crackdown on protests.
• A verdict on the charges is expected from the International Crimes Tribunal on November 13.
• Hasina states that political legitimacy must be upheld for a functioning democracy in Bangladesh.

Sheikh Hasina, the ousted Prime Minister of Bangladesh, has expressed that millions of her supporters plan to boycott the upcoming national elections due to the ban imposed on her Awami League party. Speaking from her exile in New Delhi, Hasina stated that the exclusion of her party will disenfranchise millions and lead to deeper divisions within the country. "The ban on the Awami League is not only unjust, it is self-defeating,” she remarked, emphasizing the necessity of electoral legitimacy for the next government, according to Reuters, Al Jazeera, and India Times.

The Awami League has been barred from contesting the February 2026 elections due to amendments to the anti-terrorism act, which the interim government argues were made to address national security concerns. Hasina’s party faced suspension of its registration in May 2024, following her ousting in a violent uprising that resulted in the deaths of up to 1,400 individuals according to a UN report, during crackdowns on protests against her government. As she pointed out, "Millions of people support the Awami League, so as things stand, they will not vote," illustrating the critical role of her party in the political landscape, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

Facing serious allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the deadly 2024 protests, Hasina maintains that these charges and the subsequent court proceedings are politically motivated. Scheduled for a verdict on November 13, the allegations include claims of her direct involvement in the violence and use of security forces against civilians. She categorically rejected these accusations, asserting that, "These proceedings are a politically motivated charade," as she seeks to portray a narrative of injustice against her leadership, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

Despite her current situation, Hasina expressed a desire to return to Bangladesh, contingent upon a legitimate government. She affirmed her commitment to the Awami League's future and noted that her family's involvement is not essential for the party's identity or goals. "For Bangladesh to achieve the future we all want, there must be a return to constitutional rule and political stability," she concluded, reinforcing her vision for the nation’s political framework, according to Reuters and India Times.