Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, has voiced serious concerns over potential plots to sabotage the nation’s upcoming general election. He warned that powerful domestic and international factions are preparing to disrupt the electoral process, particularly in light of the Awami League’s ban from contesting. Yunus anticipates deliberate efforts, including unexpected attacks, aimed at derailing the elections.
During a meeting, Yunus characterized the election environment as ‘challenging,’ predicting a coordinated global and local propaganda offensive. He specifically mentioned the alarming rise of AI-generated fake content, such as manipulated images and videos, which are expected to flood social media and online spaces to mislead voters and incite unrest. The interim chief stressed the need for vigilance against these sophisticated disinformation campaigns.
In a separate development, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has pledged to reinstate democracy in Bangladesh. In her first public statements since being ousted, Hasina criticized the current government and announced a nationwide boycott of the upcoming elections by her vast support base. Hasina has been living in self-exile in India since a major student uprising forced her from power last August. Following her departure, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus returned to lead an interim government, asserting that students had appointed him. The interim administration later outlawed the Awami League, citing security imperatives, and put Hasina and other prominent party members on trial without their presence. The Awami League’s election registration was also canceled, preventing their participation. With the Awami League out of the race, Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as a strong contender. Despite the political crackdown, Awami League loyalists have held small protests in Dhaka, resulting in the arrest of hundreds, including party officials for unauthorized gatherings.