Bangladesh is preparing for its first general election since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but many of her supporters are facing uncertainty about the future and their political choices.

In Gopalganj, a key stronghold of Hasina’s Awami League (AL) and the hometown of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, residents are grappling with an election without the party that has shaped their political and social lives for decades.

Many ordinary citizens, like tricycle driver Mohammad Shahjahan Fakir, express confusion and disillusionment.

“Sheikh Hasina may have done wrong she and her allies but what did the millions of Awami League supporters do?” he asked, explaining that he would abstain from voting this time.

Others question why the AL’s iconic “boat” symbol is absent from ballots, feeling a sense of loss and uncertainty.

Since Hasina’s removal in August 2024 and her sentencing in absentia for crimes against humanity, her party has been outlawed.

Human Rights Watch described the ban as “draconian,” and in Gopalganj, tensions remain high, with previous clashes between authorities and AL supporters leaving lasting scars.

As campaigning begins, candidates from rival parties such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami seek to engage voters, but many residents remain hesitant or unsure whom to support.

Professor Sazzad Siddiqui notes that voter turnout in Gopalganj may be among the lowest in the country, reflecting lingering loyalty, confusion, and a deep sense of loss for a leadership that once defined the region.

Despite the political upheaval, many residents hope for a future built on coexistence, justice, and inclusivity, emphasizing that ordinary citizens should not bear the burden of past leadership failures.

As one voter put it, “Who should I vote for except Hasina? She is like a sister.” The upcoming election is not just a political test, but a human story of uncertainty, resilience, and the quest for dignity in a changing nation.