Sheikh Hasina: Latest News and Political Updates

Sheikh Hasina: Latest News and Political Updates

Sheikh Hasina, the longest continuously serving Prime Minister in Bangladesh’s history, marked her fourth consecutive term in office following the 7 February 2026 general election. At 78 years of age, she continues to dominate Bangladeshi politics with an iron grip, even as domestic polarisation deepens, western donor support shrinks and dependence on China and Russia grows. The election itself was boycotted by the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and several smaller parties, producing the lowest voter turnout in the country’s democratic era and drawing near-universal international condemnation.

Election Outcome & Parliamentary Composition

The Election Commission of Bangladesh declared final results on 8 February 2026:

• Awami League (including allies): 258 seats
• Jatiya Party (Ershad faction): 27 seats
• Independents (mostly Awami League-backed): 11 seats
• Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu faction): 3 seats
• Workers Party of Bangladesh: 1 seat

Turnout (official figure): 41.8 % — the lowest since 1991. Independent observers and local monitoring groups placed real participation significantly lower, with many constituencies recording turnout below 20 %. In 148 constituencies Awami League candidates faced no contest (unopposed victories), the highest number ever recorded.

Sheikh Hasina won her Gopalganj-3 seat with a margin exceeding 1.8 lakh votes. She is expected to take oath as Prime Minister for the fourth consecutive term in mid-February 2026.

Post-Election Repression & Street Protests

The declaration of results triggered immediate protests in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna and several district towns. Police used tear gas, sound grenades and water cannons; official figures report 14 deaths and over 420 injuries between 8–10 February. Independent human-rights groups place the death toll higher.

The government imposed Section 144 (prohibitory orders) in 14 districts and deployed the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and police in major cities. Several opposition leaders remain in custody:

• Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (BNP secretary general) — arrested 5 February
• Several district-level BNP leaders detained during post-poll protests

The BNP announced a 72-hour nationwide hartal starting 11 February and called for a “long march” to Dhaka on 15 February. Student groups, civil-society organisations and cultural personalities have formed a loose “Save Democracy Platform”.

International Reactions & Diplomatic Fallout

The election outcome drew sharp criticism from western governments and multilateral institutions:

• United States — Described the election as “neither free nor fair” and announced targeted sanctions on 14 senior Awami League officials, police officers and Election Commission members on 9 February.
• United Kingdom — Foreign Office called for “credible, inclusive and participatory elections in the future”.
• European Union — Declared the results “lack legitimacy” and suspended budgetary support for governance and rule-of-law programmes.
• United Nations — Secretary-General’s spokesperson expressed “deep concern over reported irregularities, low participation and pre-election restrictions”.
• China — Issued a congratulatory message to Sheikh Hasina on her “re-election” and pledged continued support for infrastructure and connectivity projects.
• India — Issued a carefully worded statement: “We respect the verdict of the people of Bangladesh and look forward to continued close cooperation.”

Economic & Financial Consequences

• Dhaka Stock Exchange General Index fell 8.1 % between 8–10 February — the steepest three-day drop since March 2020.
• Taka depreciated 3.4 % against the US dollar in offshore trading.
• Several western development partners (World Bank, Asian Development Bank, DFID, USAID) have paused new disbursements pending review of governance and democratic indicators.
• Chinese and Russian investment commitments (power plants, deep-sea port, metro rail extension) are expected to accelerate to fill the financing gap.

Sheikh Hasina’s Fourth Term: Outlook & Challenges

Sheikh Hasina’s fourth consecutive term will likely be defined by:

1. Intensified domestic polarisation — The BNP and student groups are planning sustained street mobilisation.
2. Economic pressure from western donors — Reduced concessional financing and potential sanctions on individuals.
3. Increasing dependence on China and Russia — Accelerated infrastructure financing and diplomatic support.
4. Internal Awami League dynamics — Questions over succession planning and the role of her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.
5. Security & law-enforcement posture — Expanded use of RAB and BGB in urban centres.

The government has already signalled a hard line: Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal stated on 10 February that “law and order will be maintained at any cost”.

Opposition Strategy & Future Trajectory

The BNP has called for a long-term civil disobedience movement, including hartals, blockades and international advocacy. Tarique Rahman, from exile in London, announced plans for a “sustained non-cooperation movement”. Student organisations have begun forming a broader coalition.

Whether the opposition can sustain momentum in the face of heavy state repression remains uncertain. The coming months will test the resilience of Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and the limits of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian consolidation.

Conclusion

The 7 February 2026 general election has produced a parliament almost entirely dominated by the ruling Awami League and its allies, with the main opposition absent and turnout at historic lows. While the government claims a strong mandate, the boycott, extremely low participation, pre-poll repression and near-universal international criticism have severely damaged the legitimacy of the process.

Sheikh Hasina’s fourth consecutive term will be defined by intensified domestic polarisation, economic pressure from western donors and increasing reliance on China and Russia. For the opposition, the path forward lies in sustained street mobilisation, international advocacy and rebuilding organisational strength.

The coming months will show whether the 7 February 2026 election marks the effective end of competitive multi-party democracy in Bangladesh or becomes the catalyst for a renewed pro-democracy movement.