An Australian state lawmaker has expressed deep concern over rising political uncertainty and violence ahead of Bangladesh’s 2026 national election, urging Canberra to press Dhaka for a free, fair and transparent vote, along with ensuring full security and political freedom for all candidates, including BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.
Abigail Boyd, a member of New South Wales (NSW) Parliament, submitted a Notice of Motion on November 13, highlighting what she described as growing instability, violence and institutional failures surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming 13th national polls.
BNP’s International Affairs Secretary Md Rashedul Haque confirmed the submission of the motion.
In her motion, Boyd called on the Australian government to write to the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, urging him to guarantee an inclusive and credible election process.
She also urged Canberra to push for security, freedom of movement and full political participation rights for all candidates, including Tarique Rahman; strengthen international cooperation for investigations into corruption, money laundering and fraud; support global efforts to hold perpetrators of human rights violations, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings accountable; and help ensure a secure, tamper-proof postal voting system for expatriates.
Boyd stated that Bangladesh’s democratic institutions had been systematically weakened under the former Awami League government, with state organs allegedly used for political interests and dissent heavily suppressed.
She said interference in law enforcement, the judiciary and the electoral process had undermined citizens’ democratic rights.
She further noted that of Bangladesh’s 12 national elections since independence, observers deemed only four to be acceptable, all held under caretaker governments.
The lack of accountability for individuals accused of authoritarian abuses and rights violations during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, she argued, poses a significant obstacle to holding a neutral 13th election.
The motion also referred to recent incidents of political violence, including the shooting of Ershad Ullah, the nominated candidate for Chattogram-8, which Boyd described as an alarming example of targeted political attacks.
She cited human rights groups alleging mass arrests and repression of opposition activists under the interim administration.
Boyd highlighted government efforts to recover assets allegedly laundered abroad by individuals close to Sheikh Hasina after the “Monsoon Revolution” of 2024 toppled her government.
Investigations, she noted, indicate that hundreds of crores of taka were siphoned overseas.
On expatriate voting, Boyd pointed out that while around one crore fifty lakh overseas Bangladeshis are now enfranchised, complicated procedures may obstruct their ability to vote.
Observers have expressed concerns about potential manipulation in the new app-based postal voting system, Postal Vote BD.
The motion notes that on June 18, 2025, Australia became the first country to join the Bangladesh Democratic General Election Support (BALLOT) initiative, a joint effort of UNDP, UN Women and UNESCO.
Boyd urged the Australian government to remain actively engaged on Bangladesh’s electoral and human rights issues.
