Campaigning officially began Thursday for Bangladesh’s first national elections since the 2024 uprising that toppled longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The elections, scheduled for February 12, are being held under an interim government and are widely viewed as the most consequential in the country’s modern history.
Rallies took place across the capital, Dhaka, and in key cities, with major parties seeking voter support ahead of the polls. The elections will not only determine the next government but also include a referendum on a proposed national charter aimed at political reform and strengthening democratic checks and balances.
Interim Government and Election Context
The interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has pledged a free and fair vote. However, the exclusion of Hasina’s former Awami League from the election has raised concerns about fairness and political inclusivity. The Awami League, along with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have traditionally dominated Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Yunus assumed office shortly after Hasina left for India on August 5, 2024, following a violent crackdown on protesters that left hundreds dead. The interim administration has promised security measures to ensure a peaceful election, amid concerns over law and order.
Key Candidates and Parties
Tarique Rahman, BNP chairman and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is widely regarded as a leading contender for prime minister. Rahman returned to Bangladesh last month after 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom, following the death of his mother. He launched his campaign in Sylhet, addressing thousands of supporters, and plans to tour several other districts.
In his campaign speech, Rahman criticized the Jamaat-e-Islami party for leveraging religious sentiment and emphasized his commitment to national sovereignty, economic self-reliance, and opportunities for women and youth.
Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party, and the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), created by student leaders from the 2024 uprising, have also launched campaigns in Dhaka. Both parties are part of a 10-party alliance seeking to expand influence in the absence of the Awami League. NCP leaders highlighted their focus on combating corruption, crime, and ensuring safety for women and children.
National Charter Referendum
The elections will include a vote on the July National Charter, proposed by the interim government and supported by 25 of Bangladesh’s 52 registered political parties. The charter, named after the 2024 uprising, is intended to introduce term limits for legislators, increase checks and balances on the prime minister’s power, strengthen the presidency, and prevent corruption and conflicts of interest.
Supporters see the referendum as a step toward embedding democratic reforms into law, though the charter remains nonbinding until ratified by Parliament. The Awami League and several other parties have opposed or declined to endorse the document.
Public Sentiment
Rahman’s return has energized BNP supporters, many of whom view him as a unifying figure capable of leading Bangladesh toward self-reliance and democratic governance.
“Under his leadership, we hope to see a self-reliant Bangladesh built through a democratic process,” said Ali Akbar Rajan, a BNP supporter in Sylhet.
The February 12 elections are shaping up as a pivotal moment for Bangladesh’s political future, testing the interim government’s ability to deliver a credible vote and setting the stage for potential reforms that could reshape the nation’s governance.
