“Ballots may be cast behind closed doors, but elections are won—or lost—in the searing words of politicians and the truths—or lies—voters choose to believe.”

This stark reality has never been more glaring than in the political maelstrom now consuming Bangladesh as the nation braces for the 12 February general election. What began as a routine campaign has erupted into a volatile spectacle following a blistering social media remark by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman, widely condemned as anti-women.

Within hours, the comment ignited nationwide outrage, galvanising street protests, dominating headlines, and casting a shadow over the credibility of the electoral process itself.

The fallout has triggered urgent questions reverberating across the country and beyond: Can the elections be conducted peacefully? Will the interim government deliver the sweeping reforms it has promised?

These concerns resonate globally, where nearly 1.53 million overseas voters have already begun casting postal ballots, making the world a silent witness to a campaign teetering on the edge of chaos.

In a nation where nearly half the population is female, and social media narratives increasingly shape political opinion, the power of a single remark—whether deliberate or accidental—can sway voter sentiment, ignite civic unrest, and potentially reshape the electoral outcome. The question now is not merely who will win on 12 February, but whether Bangladesh can navigate this storm without sliding into political and social upheaval.

The controversy erupted when Jamaat-e-Islami chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman allegedly declared that women cannot lead his party. In a post on X, he claimed:

“When women are pushed out of the home in the name of modernity, they are exposed to exploitation, moral decay, and insecurity. It’s nothing but another form of prostitution. Social media vulgarity, workplace harassment, and commodification of women are not signs of progress—they are symptoms of moral collapse.”

Within minutes, the post went viral. Screenshots flooded social media, sparking protests and outrage, particularly among women. The post was swiftly deleted, and Rahman bizarrely claimed his account had been “hacked.”

No evidence supported this assertion, and the rapid recovery of the account—normally a lengthy process—only deepened suspicions about the credibility of the claim.

The backlash has handed rival politicians a potent platform. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman dismissed the hacking explanation, citing expert opinions, and accused Jamaat of spreading deliberate misinformation for political gain. Speaking at a rally in Khulna, he said: “They have only one identity—they are liars.”

BNP Election Steering Committee spokesperson Dr Mahdi Amin described the nearly nine-hour delay before the hacking claim as “implausible” and questioned the party’s integrity.

Evidence strongly indicates the post was intentional. Its language was precise, ideologically consistent, and mirrored Dr Shafiqur Rahman’s long-held positions. In a recent Al Jazeera interview, he reiterated that women cannot lead any organisation, asserting their primary duties lie in motherhood and domestic responsibilities.

The notion that women’s participation in public life equates to “prostitution” aligns with Jamaat’s entrenched rhetoric. Shafiqul Islam Masud, a senior party official, publicly endorsed the post on Facebook, stating that women’s leadership “is not Jamaat’s priority” and that equality would displease Allah.

The episode has sparked street protests and political fury. BNP’s Dr Mahdi Amin condemned the remarks as “deeply disappointing for the nation” and reflective of “medieval barbarity,” highlighting the hypocrisy of a party that sends female activists’ door-to-door while denying women leadership roles.

International scrutiny has intensified. Thomas Kean, Senior Consultant at the International Crisis Group, warned that managing post-election disputes will be the interim government’s most severe test. Risks are compounded by weakened law enforcement, rising mob violence, and fierce political competition to fill the vacuum left after the ouster of the Awami League in a mass uprising.

Kean cited election-related violence, including the killing of Sharif Osman bin Haadi, a prospective candidate, underscoring the fragile security situation. He also noted that Jamaat-e-Islami may contest the results, viewing the election as a stepping stone for long-term political gains.

But he warned that failure to implement promised reforms could deepen public disillusionment, particularly among young voters, nearly half of whom are under 30 and face unemployment or underemployment. Political reconciliation will remain essential, yet any return of the Awami League without accountability for past violence could provoke further tension.

This controversy underscores the power of information—and misinformation—in modern elections. Analyses of the 2016 U.S. presidential election illustrate how fabricated stories about Hillary Clinton’s emails, health, and alleged criminality, amplified through social media, shaped voter perceptions in key swing states, contributing decisively to her narrow defeat despite winning the popular vote. Experts warn that AI-driven misinformation could similarly distort voter choice in Bangladesh, eroding trust in democratic institutions.

As the 12 February vote approaches, the interim government led by Dr Mohammad Yunus faces a critical task: preventing incendiary statements and misinformation from destabilising the election. Failure to act could imperil the credibility of Bangladesh’s democracy, the peaceful conduct of the polls, and social cohesion.

In these tense days, one lesson is unavoidable: ballots may be cast in secrecy, but elections are ultimately won—or lost—in the open, through the words politicians speak and the information voters choose to believe.

The coming week will not only test Bangladesh’s electoral process but the resilience of the nation itself against the corrosive forces of misinformation, entrenched misogyny, and political manipulation.