Tuesday, 10 February, 2026
Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment as voters prepare to head to the polls on 12 February 2026. The country, long subdued under the 17-year autocratic rule of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now faces a rare opportunity to restore democracy through a free and fair election. Since her government was removed on 5 August 2024, after a student-led uprising that swept the nation, citizens have experienced the tangible weight of political suppression. For millions, the February election is more than a contest between parties—it is a chance to reclaim their voice, assert their rights, and determine the nation’s future.
The campaign trail is vibrant and full of energy, with BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) mobilising across cities, towns, and villages. Young voters, in particular, are entering polling booths for the first time, bringing hope and enthusiasm to the democratic process. Yet, alongside this energy, there is palpable anxiety. Memories of elections manipulated under the Awami League, where dissent was crushed and outcomes engineered, linger heavily. Recent social media rumours and reports of escalating violence have only heightened fears that the election could once again be undermined by intimidation and chaos.
Indeed, the recent surge in incidents—from firearms seizures in Dhaka to attacks on candidates and obstructions of campaigns—illustrates a worrying reality: the path to free elections is fragile and contested. While the Election Commission, led by Abdur Rahmanel Masud, has deployed nearly two million officials and security personnel, and reassures the public that no election engineering will occur, the responsibility for protecting democracy does not lie with authorities alone. Political parties must exercise restraint, law enforcement must act impartially, and citizens must insist on the sanctity of the vote.
This election carries historic significance. It is the first since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, and it coincides with a referendum on the July National Charter 2025, a blueprint for governance reforms, including term limits, stronger presidential powers, expanded fundamental rights, and enhanced representation for women. The outcome will define not only the parliamentary composition but also the structure and strength of the country’s democratic institutions. Citizens must approach the ballot with seriousness and awareness, recognising that the stakes extend far beyond party politics.
The BNP, under Tarique Rahman, has emerged as a leading contender. Tarique returned from London in December 2025 and has sought to position the party as a force for inclusivity and national reconstruction, calling on citizens across all faiths to join in building a secure, prosperous, and fair Bangladesh. Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Shafiqur Rahman, presents itself as an anti-corruption alternative, aiming to expand its base and modernise governance under its vision. The NCP, a young party led by Nahid Islam, seeks to convert the energy of the 2024 movement into parliamentary representation, though organisational challenges limit its current influence. The interplay of these forces has transformed the electoral landscape into one of unprecedented fluidity and high stakes.
Economic stability and rule of law remain central concerns. Years of political upheaval disrupted the garment sector, the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, while unchecked corruption and political influence eroded public trust in institutions. Citizens are acutely aware that rebuilding the economy and ensuring equal access to opportunity cannot be achieved without political accountability and transparent governance. Press freedom, long curtailed under previous administrations, is another critical test. A free media is essential not just for reporting results but for informing citizens, scrutinising candidates, and exposing attempts to subvert the election.
Despite reassurances from the Election Commission and the Chief Adviser’s Office that campaigning has been largely peaceful, the reports of violent incidents cannot be ignored. In many areas, tension simmers beneath the surface, and isolated confrontations could escalate if left unchecked. The government, political parties, civil society, and the electorate must work in concert to prevent these flashpoints from undermining the process. The responsibility to safeguard democracy is shared: no party or authority can achieve it alone.
The 12 February polls are more than an event—they are a test of Bangladesh’s democratic resilience. They represent a golden chance for a population long oppressed by voterless governance to take control of its destiny.
Bangladesh has long known the cost of lost democracy. Under Sheikh Hasina, elections were reduced to formalities, dissenting voices were silenced, and citizens were denied meaningful participation. The current moment offers a stark contrast: a chance to exercise genuine electoral choice, to hold leaders accountable, and to set the country on a path where the rule of law, human rights, and fair representation are respected. To fail would be to allow the shadows of the past to persist. To succeed, even in a single decisive election, would signal that democracy is not only possible but sustainable.
The urgency cannot be overstated. Citizens must participate actively and peacefully. They must reject intimidation, report violations, and insist on their rights. Political parties must commit to fair conduct and refrain from provocative rhetoric or violence. Law enforcement must remain neutral, vigilant, and proactive in protecting polling centres and voters. Only through coordinated responsibility can this historic election become a turning point rather than a missed opportunity.
The 12 February polls are more than an event—they are a test of Bangladesh’s democratic resilience. They represent a golden chance for a population long oppressed by voterless governance to take control of its destiny. Every ballot cast, every act of restraint, and every citizen’s engagement contributes to the integrity of the process. History will judge whether Bangladesh seized this moment to revive its democracy or allowed it to slip back into manipulation and fear.
In this election, the path is clear. Free, fair, and peaceful voting is non-negotiable. Citizens must insist on accountability, political parties must respect democratic norms, and authorities must enforce the law without fear or favour. If these conditions are met, Bangladesh will demonstrate to itself and the world that democracy, hard-won and long-suppressed, can flourish once again.
On 12 February, the people of Bangladesh hold in their hands the power to reclaim their voice, restore democratic norms, and chart a future defined by justice, fairness, and opportunity. Every citizen who enters the polling booth exercises a responsibility as vital as it is historic. This is not merely an election—it is the country’s chance to turn the page on decades of autocracy and to ensure that democracy is not just a promise, but a reality. The nation must rise to that challenge.
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Bangladesh stands at a pivotal moment as voters prepare to head to the polls on 12 February 2026. The country, long subdued under the 17-year autocratic rule of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now faces a rare opportunity to restore democracy through a free and fair election. Since her government was removed on 5 August 2024, after a student-led uprising that swept the nation, citizens have experienced the tangible weight of political suppression. For millions, the February election is more than a contest between parties—it is a chance to reclaim their voice, assert their rights, and determine the nation’s future.
The campaign trail is vibrant and full of energy, with BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) mobilising across cities, towns, and villages. Young voters, in particular, are entering polling booths for the first time, bringing hope and enthusiasm to the democratic process. Yet, alongside this energy, there is palpable anxiety. Memories of elections manipulated under the Awami League, where dissent was crushed and outcomes engineered, linger heavily. Recent social media rumours and reports of escalating violence have only heightened fears that the election could once again be undermined by intimidation and chaos.
Indeed, the recent surge in incidents—from firearms seizures in Dhaka to attacks on candidates and obstructions of campaigns—illustrates a worrying reality: the path to free elections is fragile and contested. While the Election Commission, led by Abdur Rahmanel Masud, has deployed nearly two million officials and security personnel, and reassures the public that no election engineering will occur, the responsibility for protecting democracy does not lie with authorities alone. Political parties must exercise restraint, law enforcement must act impartially, and citizens must insist on the sanctity of the vote.
This election carries historic significance. It is the first since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, and it coincides with a referendum on the July National Charter 2025, a blueprint for governance reforms, including term limits, stronger presidential powers, expanded fundamental rights, and enhanced representation for women. The outcome will define not only the parliamentary composition but also the structure and strength of the country’s democratic institutions. Citizens must approach the ballot with seriousness and awareness, recognising that the stakes extend far beyond party politics.
The BNP, under Tarique Rahman, has emerged as a leading contender. Tarique returned from London in December 2025 and has sought to position the party as a force for inclusivity and national reconstruction, calling on citizens across all faiths to join in building a secure, prosperous, and fair Bangladesh. Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Shafiqur Rahman, presents itself as an anti-corruption alternative, aiming to expand its base and modernise governance under its vision. The NCP, a young party led by Nahid Islam, seeks to convert the energy of the 2024 movement into parliamentary representation, though organisational challenges limit its current influence. The interplay of these forces has transformed the electoral landscape into one of unprecedented fluidity and high stakes.
Economic stability and rule of law remain central concerns. Years of political upheaval disrupted the garment sector, the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, while unchecked corruption and political influence eroded public trust in institutions. Citizens are acutely aware that rebuilding the economy and ensuring equal access to opportunity cannot be achieved without political accountability and transparent governance. Press freedom, long curtailed under previous administrations, is another critical test. A free media is essential not just for reporting results but for informing citizens, scrutinising candidates, and exposing attempts to subvert the election.
Despite reassurances from the Election Commission and the Chief Adviser’s Office that campaigning has been largely peaceful, the reports of violent incidents cannot be ignored. In many areas, tension simmers beneath the surface, and isolated confrontations could escalate if left unchecked. The government, political parties, civil society, and the electorate must work in concert to prevent these flashpoints from undermining the process. The responsibility to safeguard democracy is shared: no party or authority can achieve it alone.
The 12 February polls are more than an event—they are a test of Bangladesh’s democratic resilience. They represent a golden chance for a population long oppressed by voterless governance to take control of its destiny.
Bangladesh has long known the cost of lost democracy. Under Sheikh Hasina, elections were reduced to formalities, dissenting voices were silenced, and citizens were denied meaningful participation. The current moment offers a stark contrast: a chance to exercise genuine electoral choice, to hold leaders accountable, and to set the country on a path where the rule of law, human rights, and fair representation are respected. To fail would be to allow the shadows of the past to persist. To succeed, even in a single decisive election, would signal that democracy is not only possible but sustainable.
The urgency cannot be overstated. Citizens must participate actively and peacefully. They must reject intimidation, report violations, and insist on their rights. Political parties must commit to fair conduct and refrain from provocative rhetoric or violence. Law enforcement must remain neutral, vigilant, and proactive in protecting polling centres and voters. Only through coordinated responsibility can this historic election become a turning point rather than a missed opportunity.
The 12 February polls are more than an event—they are a test of Bangladesh’s democratic resilience. They represent a golden chance for a population long oppressed by voterless governance to take control of its destiny. Every ballot cast, every act of restraint, and every citizen’s engagement contributes to the integrity of the process. History will judge whether Bangladesh seized this moment to revive its democracy or allowed it to slip back into manipulation and fear.
In this election, the path is clear. Free, fair, and peaceful voting is non-negotiable. Citizens must insist on accountability, political parties must respect democratic norms, and authorities must enforce the law without fear or favour. If these conditions are met, Bangladesh will demonstrate to itself and the world that democracy, hard-won and long-suppressed, can flourish once again.
On 12 February, the people of Bangladesh hold in their hands the power to reclaim their voice, restore democratic norms, and chart a future defined by justice, fairness, and opportunity. Every citizen who enters the polling booth exercises a responsibility as vital as it is historic. This is not merely an election—it is the country’s chance to turn the page on decades of autocracy and to ensure that democracy is not just a promise, but a reality. The nation must rise to that challenge.
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