Hasina was removed from power in 2024 following a mass student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule. Without inclusive elections, she warned, Bangladesh risks prolonged instability and weakened democratic institutions. The interim administration, which took power days after Hasina fled, has pledged to hold a free and fair election and says security forces will ensure order. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, is widely seen as the frontrunner, with his main challenge coming from a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami. Hasina argued that Bangladesh must end the cycle of bans and boycotts to heal politically, stressing the need for a legitimate government with genuine public consent.