Bangladesh EC Removes Awami League’s 'Boat' Symbol, Deepening Political Crisis Ahead of Elections
Dhaka | July 15, 2025 — In a politically charged move that has sent shockwaves across Bangladesh, the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday removed the iconic 'boat' election symbol of the Awami League, the country's oldest and historically dominant political party, from its official website. The action is being widely viewed as part of an orchestrated effort to erase the Awami League from the country’s political landscape ahead of general elections.
The removal follows a May 12 gazette notification by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, which banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliate organizations under the Anti-Terrorism Act, pending trials in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Critics and observers have labeled these actions as politically motivated and reflective of a broader campaign of retribution against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party.
EC Confirms Symbol Removal on Higher Orders
A senior official from the EC Secretariat confirmed to local media that the 'boat' symbol had been removed following instructions from higher authorities.
“The decision came from above. We’ve complied,” said the unnamed official, as quoted by several Dhaka-based outlets.
The development has triggered immediate concerns among constitutional experts and civil society leaders, who fear that this move signals a dangerous erosion of electoral fairness and pluralism in the country.
Just last week, Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud had provided assurances that the Awami League would retain its traditional symbol.
“Symbols belong to the EC. Even if a party is banned, the symbol is preserved. We don’t erase them from the system,” Masud had told bdnews24.
His comments appear to have been overruled, highlighting growing friction within the country's democratic institutions under the interim regime.
NCP’s Role in Pressuring the EC
The National Citizen Party (NCP), a relatively new player in Bangladeshi politics, had been aggressively demanding the removal of the Awami League's election symbol. The NCP alleged that retaining the symbol on the EC’s website amounted to institutional bias, despite the Awami League's current legal ban.
The NCP, which has positioned itself as a reformist force, welcomed the EC’s move and reiterated calls for a complete overhaul of Bangladesh’s political order.
“The boat symbol had no business being on an official platform when the party is under investigation for grave crimes,” said Hasanat Abdullah, NCP’s Chief Organiser (South).
Ban on Awami League Activities Sparks Outrage
The May 12 gazette banning the Awami League marked a seismic political event in Bangladesh. All party activities — including media appearances, public rallies, social media campaigning, and publications — were prohibited.
The ban was enforced under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing ongoing investigations and pending trials of senior leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The government has yet to provide conclusive evidence linking the Awami League to terrorist acts, further fuelling allegations of political vendetta.
International human rights watchdogs and diplomatic observers have raised concerns about the transparency and legitimacy of the tribunal process.
Political Vendetta Allegations Against Yunus-Led Interim Govt
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate and Grameen Bank founder Muhammad Yunus, has been accused by critics of undermining democracy under the guise of transitional reforms.
Yunus’s government has come under heavy fire for allegedly providing safe havens to radical Islamist organizations, some of which have historically opposed secular and democratic norms. While the interim administration claims its actions are aimed at national stabilization and legal accountability, many see a systematic political purge under way.
“This is no longer about justice — it’s about removing an entire political lineage from public memory,” said a Dhaka-based political analyst, who wished to remain anonymous.
Democratic Backsliding and International Reaction
The unseating of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 — which came after a mass protest movement and subsequent military-backed political transition — had already raised alarms in global capitals. Many Western democracies viewed the move as a coup in disguise, and the following months have only deepened those concerns.
The latest action against the Awami League — including symbol removal and institutional gag orders — has intensified international scrutiny on Bangladesh’s commitment to democratic principles.
Diplomatic channels in New Delhi, Washington, and Brussels are reportedly watching the developments closely, especially given Bangladesh's strategic position in South Asia and its growing economic and security ties with neighboring India.
What This Means for Upcoming Elections
With the Awami League sidelined and its electoral identity removed, the upcoming elections — tentatively scheduled for late 2025 — are shaping up to be anything but inclusive. The Election Commission’s neutrality is now under serious question, as it appears increasingly aligned with the interim government's political vision.
The BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP, once united in their opposition to Hasina, are themselves locked in infighting and ideological clashes, further muddying the electoral waters.
Conclusion: Is This the End of the Awami League?
The removal of the 'boat' symbol is more than a technical change — it is a symbolic death blow to a party that led Bangladesh’s independence movement and governed it through some of its most transformative years.
Whether the Awami League can legally or politically recover remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — the political climate in Bangladesh is moving further away from democratic norms, and toward authoritarian consolidation under the guise of reform.