Bangladesh’s Awami League: A Look at Its Strong Voter Appeal

Despite efforts by the interim government to downplay boycotts of the February 2026 elections, a new report sheds light on the Awami League’s substantial voter appeal. Masood Kamal, a political analyst contributing to Deutsche Welle (DW), notes that many Awami League followers exhibit deep ideological and historical loyalty to the party. This widespread backing is a significant factor, even if faced with accusations. Evidence of this strong base can be seen in past election results; for instance, in 2001, the AL garnered over 22 million votes, falling only slightly behind the leading party in terms of popular support. Kamal also voiced concerns about the practice of banning political parties by decree, describing it as contrary to democratic principles and highlighting the irony of a unity government acting as a divisive force.