Over 120 million Bangladeshi citizens are gearing up to cast their ballots this Thursday, in what promises to be a landmark election. This will be the nation’s first general election since a massive student uprising in the summer of 2024 successfully removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. Voters will also decide on a crucial referendum, which proposes significant political reforms championed by the student protest movement.
More than 50 political parties have put forward candidates. While the Awami League, previously led by Sheikh Hasina, is barred from participating, other major parties have unveiled manifestos promising to realize the student movement’s aspirations for a more democratic and fair Bangladesh. Historically, the nation has largely been ruled by just two dominant parties since its independence, interspersed with periods of military governance. Despite the promises, many young voters feel uncertain if their hopes for true change will be met, especially with the expected winner coming from one of these established political forces.
Here’s What You Need to Know:
- Why this election is a game-changer
- Who are the key candidates?
- What critical issues are on the ballot?
- What’s the atmosphere like in the country right now?
Why This Election is a Game-Changer
For many Bangladeshis, this election represents a unique opportunity to forge a truly inclusive democracy, one fortified with strong safeguards against authoritarian tendencies and the pervasive corruption that fueled the recent protest movement.
A historic voter turnout is anticipated for this election. The previous national election in January 2024 was widely criticized for being manipulated in favor of the Awami League, resulting in only just over a quarter of eligible voters participating. The leading opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B.N.P.), notably boycotted that election.
This election holds particular weight as millions of young citizens will be casting their votes for the very first time. With a median age of around 25, a significant portion of the Bangladeshi population was too young to vote during former Prime Minister Hasina’s 15-year tenure, and many who were eligible chose not to participate in the three previous elections held under her rule.
Meet the Candidates and Parties
Following the collapse of the Awami League’s government, an interim administration, led by Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, has been governing the nation. Throughout much of Bangladesh’s history, power has largely alternated between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B.N.P.), both of which trace their origins back to the 1971 independence movement.
Currently, the interim government has prohibited the Awami League from political activities. Former Prime Minister Hasina, who faces a death sentence for her alleged involvement in the deaths of hundreds of students during the protests, is living in exile in India. Meanwhile, 85-year-old Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, has stated that his role is solely to facilitate a peaceful transition to an elected administration, and he is not seeking election himself.
With the Awami League sidelined, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B.N.P.) emerges as the dominant force. Its chairman, Tarique Rahman, son of the party’s military general founder, is widely anticipated to become the next prime minister. The B.N.P. is campaigning on an ‘Bangladesh before all’ platform, aiming to project an inclusive governance philosophy.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, another significant political party in Bangladesh, has seen a notable rise in influence. This party, committed to a society governed by Islamic law, was historically considered outside the mainstream due to its opposition to Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971. Although the vast majority of Bangladeshis are Muslim, the nation’s constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of religion. Analysts suggest that Jamaat has successfully leveraged public resentment over perceived anti-Muslim sentiment, especially from the Hindu right-wing movement in neighboring India, to boost its support.
Adding a new dynamic to the political landscape is the National Citizen Party (N.C.P.), established just last year by leaders of the 2024 student protests. Intriguingly, the N.C.P. has allied with Jamaat and several smaller parties to contest the election. This alliance, however, has caused considerable dismay among many students and those who advocate for a more secular, moderate, and inclusive Bangladesh.
Key Issues Driving the Election
Across the board, the competing parties are campaigning on strikingly similar platforms, each promising stability, the rule of law, enhanced educational and employment prospects for youth, a more inclusive society embracing minorities, and gender equality. They also share goals of bolstering the economy and attracting foreign investment.
Ultimately, this election is largely a referendum on the student movement’s vision for Bangladesh’s future. This vision is encapsulated in the ‘July National Charter 2025,’ which proposes critical reforms such as increasing women’s representation, establishing prime ministerial term limits, and guaranteeing judicial independence. While most political parties nominally support the charter, the student-led N.C.P. has insisted that these reforms require proper legal backing and has pushed for a national referendum on incorporating the charter directly into the Constitution.
The Current Mood: Anticipation and Unease
In Dhaka, Bangladesh’s capital, a palpable mix of suspense and anticipation hangs in the air. While some students voice frustration over the sluggish pace of reforms since the protests, others express genuine excitement at the prospect of exercising their democratic right.
Authorities are bracing for potential unrest. On Tuesday, extensive drills for crowd control were conducted by large contingents of police and army forces. Officials have announced the deployment of over 100,000 army troops nationwide, complemented by nearly a million law enforcement personnel.
Recent weeks have seen reports of clashes among supporters of different political factions. According to ASK, a prominent human rights organization in Bangladesh, over 600 individuals sustained injuries in election-related violence during January alone.