Security has been tightened nationwide in Bangladesh’s first national election since the 2024 uprising, as voters head to the polls amid historic political shifts and a competitive race that could reshape the country’s democratic future.
Security forces have deployed record numbers of personnel nearly 1 million police, army, border guard and auxiliary troops supported by drones, CCTV and body-worn cameras to safeguard more than 43,000 polling stations across 299 constituencies on election day, February 12. Authorities say the robust measures aim to prevent violence, intimidation and logistical disruptions as tens of millions cast ballots for the first time since mass protests toppled the long-time government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
The election comes after an interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, oversaw a transitional period following the August 2024 uprising. More than 127 million voters are eligible, including roughly 5 million first-time voters, and for the first time citizens abroad have been able to vote by postal ballot.
The political landscape is highly competitive. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is seen as the frontrunner, fielding candidates in most seats, while an 11-party Islamist coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami has gained ground and is contesting hundreds of seats alongside smaller allied groups. Analysts say Islamists, once barred from politics, have mobilized support in part by aligning with youth-driven organizations and capitalizing on popular disillusionment with past regimes.
Jamaat leaders have been actively campaigning, training polling agents and promising to maintain order at polling centers, even as critics raise concerns about the group’s conservative agenda and potential impact on rights particularly for women and minorities.
The election includes a concurrent referendum on proposed political reforms, including governance changes outlined in the transitional charter. Its passage could reshape Bangladesh’s constitution and the structure of executive power after years of upheaval.
Bangladeshis are casting ballots amid lingering concerns about violence and voter security. Authorities report hundreds of incidents related to political clashes during the campaign period, including clashes between rival supporters and attacks on election offices, underscoring the delicate balance between security and civil liberties ahead of voting.
Women’s rights and electoral participation have been central themes as parties court voters, with some rights advocates warning that gains in gender equality could be at risk if conservative Islamist factions win significant influence.
The vote is widely seen as a defining moment for Bangladesh’s democracy, testing whether the transition from authoritarian rule will produce stable, inclusive governance or deepen societal divisions as new political forces emerge.