"Bangladeshis voiced concern in Dhaka on Monday over the ban of the country's former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party, Awami League, from the upcoming parliamentary elections. "Awami League and BNP are the two biggest parties in Bangladesh," one of the locals, Rakib Hossain, stated. "Elections should be held with all parties, including BNP, Awami League, Jamaat, NCP." "If big parties like Awami League and Jatiya Party do not participate in the election to be held in 2026, the election will not be acceptable," another local, Mohammad Nowshad, added. "We want Awami League and Jatiya Party to participate in the next election, then the election will be competitive." Some responders highlighted that the absence of the former ruling party at the elections put a shadow on the democratic basis of its legitimacy. Meanwhile, others insisted that events of the last year have discredited all parties. "The current government is doing the same thing as the Awami League, they are also not allowing the Awami League to participate in the elections. Now, it seems that the 2018 and 2019 elections and this election are the same," Hossain said. "The Awami League government fled the country because it could not do anything for the country. Now, we cannot say what the government that comes next will do for the country. So, how can we consider this election acceptable?" Ratan Mia questioned. On Wednesday, the Bangladeshi interim government confirmed Awami League will not be able to participate in the 2026 national election due to a ban on its activities issued in May 2025. The elections scheduled for February 12 are the first since the resignation of PM Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, and come under the interim administration of Mohammed Yunus. The elections will also be the first time the Awami League will not participate in national polls since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. Hasina has been living in exile in India after the 2024 uprising forced her from power. Hasina fled amid widespread national demonstrations against her government over accusations of corruption."