Bangladesh Braces for Elections Amid Rising Political Violence
DHAKA, Bangladesh – Bangladesh is on edge as it prepares for national elections on February 12, the first since the dramatic political shift in August 2024. The lead-up to the vote has been marred by escalating violence, raising concerns about the fairness and safety of the electoral process and dampening hopes for a peaceful transition of power.
Recent clashes underscore the volatile atmosphere. On January 28, a dispute over seating at a political event in Jhenaigati, Sherpur district, erupted into a violent confrontation between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. At least 65 people were injured, and a local Jamaat leader was killed. Police and army personnel were present but unable to prevent the outbreak of violence, highlighting the challenges authorities face in maintaining order.
The violence isn’t isolated. At least 15 political leaders and activists have been killed in the 36 days since the Election Commission announced the election schedule on December 11, 2025, according to reports. Human rights organizations paint a grim picture, with the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) documenting at least 195 deaths and over 11,000 injuries in political violence over the past 17 months. Odhikar, another rights group, reports even higher figures – 328 deaths and over 9,000 injuries during the same period. Nearly half of the incidents documented by HRSS stemmed from internal conflicts within the BNP and its affiliated groups.
“After a mass uprising that promised the restoration of voting rights, this kind of violence is deeply discouraging,” said Taimur Mobin, a 22-year-old Dhaka university graduate and first-time voter. “If it continues, many voters, especially elderly people, may avoid polling centers.”
The escalating tensions are prompting fears that violence could extend beyond election day. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has warned of a continued risk of unrest for days after February 12, citing a history of post-election violence in the country. TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stressed the need to learn from past polls to prevent further bloodshed.
Accusations are flying between political parties. Jamaat-e-Islami alleges attacks on its female activists by BNP supporters and accuses the Election Commission of inaction. Islami Andolan Bangladesh claims its female campaigners were also targeted by Jamaat supporters. Even independent candidates haven’t been spared, with reports of attacks, including one incident on February 5 in Chandpur-4 constituency that injured at least 20 people. The BNP, in turn, accuses Jamaat of exploiting religious sentiment and harassing its own female activists.
The interim government is responding with a massive security deployment. Approximately 900,000 personnel, including over 100,000 military members, will be stationed to protect polling centers from February 8-14. More than half of the country’s 42,761 polling stations have been designated as “risky” and will receive heightened security. 544 temporary army camps have been established across 62 districts.
The Bangladesh Army reaffirmed its preparedness on Thursday, February 5, 2026, to ensure a “fair, free and peaceful” election. Military Operations Director Brig Gen Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain stated that troops are actively engaged in field-level preparations.
Beyond election-related violence, Dhaka has also seen protests unrelated to the political campaign. Government employees staged a sit-in outside the residence of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, demanding a new pay scale, while the Inqilab Moncho platform held demonstrations calling for a UN-supervised investigation into the killing of its spokesperson, Osman Hadi.
Political analyst Shahadat Shadhin, a research scholar at South Asian University, attributes the escalating violence to a “failure of authority.” “Election-related violence is increasing, but I do not see sufficient seriousness from the interim government,” he said. “The Election Commission is constitutionally empowered during elections, yet no visible action has been taken. This vacuum of responsibility is extremely alarming.”
With nearly 127 million voters eligible to participate, the 13th national election represents a crucial moment for Bangladesh. The outcome will determine the country’s path forward after the period of interim rule. However, the current climate of violence casts a long shadow over the democratic process, raising serious questions about the legitimacy and stability of the upcoming government.
[Image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Gate in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, February 2, 2026. Photo Credit: Reuters]
[Image of Bangladesh Border Guard personnel guarding Inquilab Mancha supporters protesting in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 6, 2026. Photo Credit: AP]