For the first time in decades, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League is absent from Gopalganj’s ballot ahead of February 12. Opposition parties, including BNP and Jamaat‑e‑Islami, now dominate the campaign with posters and rallies. Voters face a historic choice in a district long considered the Awami League’s stronghold.
Gopalganj has been the political base of Hasina and her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Hasina ruled Bangladesh for over 15 years until 2024, when a youth-led uprising forced her into exile in India. Her party is barred from the upcoming election under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Many of her supporters now face uncertainty without the “boat” symbol on the ballot.
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A recent survey shows nearly half of former Awami League voters now support BNP, while about 30% favour Jamaat. Analysts note that the shift is consolidating around specific opposition parties rather than dispersing evenly. Families of former activists report fear and personal loss, including arrests and intimidation, causing some to withdraw from politics completely.
Despite the absence of the Awami League, some voters see hope in the competitive election. Businessman Sheikh Ilias Ahmed hopes citizens will finally vote freely. Political analysts predict that while core loyalists may abstain, undecided voters could determine the outcome in Gopalganj. The district’s response may indicate broader trends for Bangladesh’s political landscape.
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Observers warn that the February 12 polls could reshape party loyalties in Bangladesh. Former Awami League supporters’ choices will influence both local and national politics. With security concerns and voter uncertainty, Gopalganj’s election represents a historic test for democracy in the country.