India, Nov. 13 -- Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has questioned the decision to bar her party, the Awami League, from participating in elections, saying voters should be allowed to decide whether to accept or reject it.

"If the authorities believe the party has lost public support, they should allow it to contest elections and let the people decide," she said.

"People have every right to criticise me or the Awami League. Parties can campaign against us. They can vote against us. That is their democratic right. But the same right must be given to us," she added.

Hasina referred to the Awami League's role in Bangladesh's independence struggle and its history of surviving military rule, political bans and the imprisonment ...