US lawmakers warn Bangladesh against banning parties ahead of February polls

25-Dec-2025

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Amid ongoing unrest, a group of US lawmakers has warned Bangladesh’s interim government that suspending political parties and restarting "flawed International Crimes Tribunal" could jeopardise the credibility of elections due in February, urging a fully inclusive and fair vote.

In a letter written to Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, Representatives Gregory W Meeks, Bill Huizenga and Sydney Kamlager-Dove said banning an entire political organisation risks disenfranchising large sections of the electorate and weakening democratic legitimacy.

"We welcome your willingness to step forward at a moment of national crisis in Bangladesh to lead an interim government ahead of elections in February," the lawmakers wrote. 

They stressed that it was vital for the interim administration to work with parties across the political spectrum to create conditions for free and fair elections that allow the voice of the Bangladeshi people to be expressed peacefully through the ballot box.