Campaigning got underway on Thursday for Bangladesh’s first national election since the 2024 uprising that toppled longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, setting the stage for a closely watched vote on Feb. 12.
Major political parties launched rallies in Dhaka and other cities ahead of the election, which will be held under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The poll is widely seen as a defining moment for the country, coming after months of political upheaval and alongside a proposed referendum on sweeping political reforms.
The interim administration has pledged to deliver a free and fair election, though concerns have been raised after it banned Hasina’s former ruling Awami League from contesting the vote. Authorities have also acknowledged challenges to law and order but insist security will be ensured during the polls.
With the Awami League excluded, a 10-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is seeking to expand its influence, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as a key contender. BNP leader Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned from exile last month and launched his campaign in Sylhet, vowing to restore democratic rights and rebuild the economy.
The election will also feature a referendum on a proposed national charter aimed at curbing authoritarianism and strengthening checks and balances — a move the interim government says is essential to shaping Bangladesh’s political future.
Major political parties launched rallies in Dhaka and other cities ahead of the election, which will be held under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The poll is widely seen as a defining moment for the country, coming after months of political upheaval and alongside a proposed referendum on sweeping political reforms.
The interim administration has pledged to deliver a free and fair election, though concerns have been raised after it banned Hasina’s former ruling Awami League from contesting the vote. Authorities have also acknowledged challenges to law and order but insist security will be ensured during the polls.
With the Awami League excluded, a 10-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami is seeking to expand its influence, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as a key contender. BNP leader Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned from exile last month and launched his campaign in Sylhet, vowing to restore democratic rights and rebuild the economy.
The election will also feature a referendum on a proposed national charter aimed at curbing authoritarianism and strengthening checks and balances — a move the interim government says is essential to shaping Bangladesh’s political future.
