‘Industrial-Scale Fraud’: Sheikh Hasina Calls Bangladesh Polls A ‘Sham’, Questions ‘Unrealistic’ Turnout

Last Updated:February 13, 2026, 22:04 IST

Sheikh Hasina claimed that the election was marred by “industrial-scale administrative manipulation and numerical fraud.”

Bangladesh Polls: Ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday criticised the recently held parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, calling them a “carefully orchestrated sham" and a “disgraceful chapter" in the country’s democratic history. The South Asian nation held its first election since the 2024 mass protests toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government.

In a detailed statement issued after the polls concluded, the Bangladesh Awami League president claimed that the election was marred by “industrial-scale administrative manipulation and numerical fraud," and questioned the official voter turnout figures released by the Election Commission.

Bangladesh Election Results 2026 LIVE Updates

Hasina said that according to the Election Commission, Bangladesh had 127.7 million registered voters, with polling held from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm on February 12.

Alleging “highly inconsistent and unrealistic" turnout patterns, she claimed that by 11 am, turnout was reported at 14.96%, but within the next hour it allegedly surged to 32.88%. She termed this spike “extraordinarily abnormal," arguing that the implied voting rate per polling station would have required a ballot to be cast every few seconds.

“On the day of the election, severe irregularities were observed, and the percentage of votes reported in successive briefings by the Election Commission presented highly inconsistent and unrealistic patterns," she said.

She also questioned the final reported turnout of 59.44%, citing media reports of empty polling stations and low participation among prison inmates and overseas voters.

The former Prime Minister further alleged widespread irregularities, including ballot stamping before voting began, seizure of polling centres, intimidation of voters, and discrepancies in result sheets. She claimed that constituency-wise results of a referendum held on the same day were delayed, raising suspicions about data processing.

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The Awami League leader further accused the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of using state machinery to promote a “Yes" vote and influencing voter psychology through ballot design.

“This election did not pave the way for the restoration of democracy. On the contrary, it has deepened public distrust, political uncertainty, and disillusionment. Results declared through such a controversial process can never bring stability to the country," Hasina said.

She further said that incidents of clashes, grenade explosions, polling center takeovers, ballot paper theft, voter intimidation to cast ballots for specific symbols, fraudulent voting, irregularities during counting, and presiding officers stamping ballots in favor of specific candidates were reported across the country on the day of reporting.

Calling the election “illegal and unconstitutional," Hasina demanded annulment of the results, resignation of the Yunus-led government, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of restrictions on Awami League activities, and fresh elections under a neutral caretaker government.

“This election did not restore democracy; it has deepened public distrust and uncertainty," she said, urging what she described as the restoration of the people’s voting rights.

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Earlier on Thursday, too, she demanded the cancellation of the “voterless, illegal and unconstitutional" election in Bangladesh.

Labelling the elections “deceptive", Hasina said that they were arranged without her party — the Awami League — and without voters. “In this situation, we demand the cancellation of this voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election; the resignation of Yunus", she had said.

Bangladesh Polls

Thursday’s polls were the first since the 2024 student-led “Gen-Z" movement toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government, forcing the former prime minister to flee to India.

Following mass protests and nationwide unrest, the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus banned all Awami League activities. The Bangladesh Election Commission subsequently suspended the party’s registration, preventing it from contesting in the elections.

Read More: How Bangladesh’s Key Parties Fared: BNP’s Return, The Jamaat Factor And Student Bloc’s Collapse

While the Awami League had skipped ballots in the past due to boycotts, this is the first instance where the party was barred by legal and governmental action rather than political choice.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh has handed a decisive mandate to the Tarique Rahman-led BNP. As the unofficial tallies continue to come in from Thursday’s voting, it is clear that the BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, has registered its victory over 200 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. The election was a direct contest between the BNP and its former ally, Jamaat-e-Islami.

Tarique Rahman’s political comeback marks a dramatic turn in Bangladesh’s turbulent political landscape. Often described by critics as the “dark prince" of Bangladeshi politics, the 60-year-old leader hails from one of the country’s most influential political families. He is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

Rahman is likely to take the oath on Sunday.

News world ‘Industrial-Scale Fraud’: Sheikh Hasina Calls Bangladesh Polls A ‘Sham’, Questions ‘Unrealistic’ Turnout

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