India, Feb. 13 -- For the first time in 30 years, the election symbol of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League boat has not appeared on the ballot paper in Bangladesh's crucial general election, voting for which is being held on Thursday. This is the first election since Hasina was ousted after massive nationwide protests in August 2024. The Interim Government banned all party activities of the Awami League on May 12 last year and soon afterwards, the Election Commission suspended the party's registration.

One of the country's oldest political parties, the Awami League, has boycotted parliamentary elections twice in the past. This time, however, it is unable to take part at all, as its registration remains suspended, BDNews...