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Is Bangladesh on a path to democracy?

Nick Holdsworth
August 5, 2025

Thousands of people gathered in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka on Tuesday to celebrate the first anniversary of student-led mass protests that toppled the country's former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Meanwhile, interim leader Muhammad Yunus unveiled a road map for democratic reform, announcing that national elections will be held next year.

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A year after deadly protests led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is poised to hold new elections. The south-east Asian country's interim leader, Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, says he will request the election commission to hold national elections in February 2026. Sheikh Hasina fled to India on August 5th last year. A court in Dhaka is currently trying her in absentia on charges of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors allege she ordered police to use lethal force against peaceful protestors. At least 1,400 people died during the unrest.

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