Exiled Diplomat Calls Bangladesh Poll ‘Ugliest in History’, Slams Interim Leadership
A former Bangladeshi diplomat has strongly criticised the country’s upcoming national election, describing it as one of the “ugliest” in Bangladesh’s history and questioning its democratic legitimacy.
In an interview with the Sri Lanka-based Trinco Centre for Strategic Studies (TSST), Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, now living in exile, alleged that the election process lacks genuine democratic competition and is shaped by political manoeuvring within the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus.
Rashid claimed that what is unfolding is not a conventional electoral contest but a political struggle between major factions, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Jamaat-e-Islami, along with their respective allies. He argued that no “genuinely democratic party” has been permitted to participate meaningfully in the process.
The former diplomat further alleged that the interim leadership is attempting to influence the political outcome to maintain relevance in the next government formation. He described the broader political shift in Bangladesh as a setback for the country’s secular identity and post-independence legacy.
Bangladesh has experienced significant political changes since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with the interim administration overseeing the transition. The current election has drawn international attention amid debates over governance, political freedoms and institutional stability.
Rashid also criticised the perception of Bangladesh’s interim leadership in Western capitals, arguing that the situation on the ground differs sharply from its international image. He alleged that the country’s economic and social progress has been reversed in recent months.
The interim administration has maintained that the election process is being conducted within constitutional parameters and has emphasised stability and continuity during the transition period.
As Bangladesh heads to the polls, the sharp divergence in narratives reflects the deep political polarisation in the country, with supporters and critics offering starkly different assessments of the current trajectory.
Our Thoughts
Bangladesh’s upcoming election comes at a sensitive political moment marked by transition, polarisation and competing visions for the country’s future. While critics question the credibility of the process, the ultimate test will lie in transparency, participation and post-election stability. In a region where democratic institutions continue to evolve under pressure, the conduct and aftermath of this vote will have implications not just domestically, but across South Asia.