A coalition of at least 36 political parties and organisations, aligned with the July Unity movement, has submitted legal notices to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Ministry of Law demanding the prohibition of 14 political parties, including the ruling Awami League and the National Party.
The development was announced on Tuesday, 16 December, through a statement issued by Israfil Farazi, one of the organisers of the July Unity coalition. The legal notice was formally submitted on behalf of the coalition by Abdullah Al Mahmud, also known as Borhan Mahmud.
According to the notice, the Awami League-led government, since forming power in 2008, gradually entrenched authoritarian rule, culminating in 2014 when it assumed office without a popular vote. Over more than one and a half decades, this period of alleged oppressive governance involved several allied parties, including the National Party, forming what the coalition refers to as a 14-party bloc.
The notice further alleges that during July–August of last year, mass protests by students and citizens forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and senior leaders of the Awami League to flee the country temporarily, including to India. However, the coalition contends that these parties are attempting to destabilise the country once again through conspiracies and subversive activities.
A recent incident cited in the notice involves an assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent July Unity activist, convener of the Inquilab Munch platform, and independent candidate from Dhaka-8, highlighting the coalition’s concerns over political violence. The legal demand to ban the 14-party alliance has therefore intensified in light of this attack.
The coalition argues that prohibiting these parties is essential to protect the nation’s democratic integrity and prevent further subversive activities that, according to them, threaten the stability of a transformed Bangladesh following the 5 August 2024 political transition, also known as the 36 July event.
July Unity’s Legal Notice at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Date Submitted | 16 December 2025 |
| Submitted To | Chief Election Commissioner; Ministry of Law |
| Submitted By | Abdullah Al Mahmud (Borhan Mahmud) on behalf of July Unity |
| Total Parties & Organisations in Coalition | At least 36 |
| Parties Targeted | Awami League, National Party, and 12 others (14-party bloc) |
| Reason Cited | Alleged prolonged authoritarianism; threats to national stability |
| Trigger Event | Assassination attempt on Sharif Osman Hadi (Dhaka-8 candidate) |
| Historical Context | Awami League assumed office without election in 2014; long-term governance criticised as oppressive by coalition |
The legal notice represents a major escalation by the July Unity coalition, signalling a concerted effort to challenge the legitimacy and actions of Bangladesh’s dominant political parties through judicial avenues.