Bangladesh’s Opposition Party Raises Concerns Over Election Impartiality
DHAKA, Bangladesh – Weeks before Bangladesh’s general election on February 12, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has publicly urged the Election Commission to ensure complete impartiality in the upcoming polls, citing concerns over potential bias and irregularities.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir voiced these concerns following a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin on Sunday in Dhaka. Alamgir stated the BNP has historically cooperated with the Election Commission to facilitate a free and fair election process, but recent observations have prompted anxieties.
“We are observing certain issues where arrangements appear biased and conduct raises concerns,” Alamgir told reporters after the meeting, as reported by Bangladesh’s state-run news agency BSS. “We have urged the commission to refrain from such practices and to act with complete impartiality.”
A key point of contention revolves around the postal ballot system for Bangladeshi citizens residing abroad. The BNP alleges discrepancies in the printing of ballot papers, suggesting a potential attempt to favor a specific political party. Alamgir called for a revision of these ballots to ensure fairness.
The party also raised concerns about election officials receiving postal ballots after the allocation of electoral symbols, arguing this would prevent them from exercising their right to vote based on informed judgment.
Beyond the postal ballot, the BNP alleges more systemic issues. They claim activists from a rival political party are collecting personal information – including national identification numbers and mobile money account details – from voters, a practice they deem a violation of privacy and a criminal offense. The party also accused a competing party of illegally transferring voters from across the country to Dhaka, potentially skewing the results in the capital.
“We have requested the commission to urgently provide us with a detailed list of which areas, how many voters, for what reason, and when they were transferred to Dhaka,” Alamgir said.
The allegations come at a sensitive time for Bangladesh, a nation with a history of politically charged elections. International observers have frequently noted concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process in the country. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. State Department, Bangladesh’s elections have been marred by violence, intimidation, and restrictions on political freedoms.
The CEC, AMM Nasir Uddin, responded to the concerns by emphasizing the commission’s commitment to a free, fair, and inclusive election. Addressing appellants and lawyers after a hearing on nomination paper appeals, he stated the commission’s decisions were made without bias and based on careful analysis. He also stressed the importance of cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a credible voting process.
The upcoming election is crucial for Bangladesh, a nation of over 170 million people and a significant player in South Asia. The outcome will shape the country’s political landscape and its trajectory for years to come. The BNP’s concerns, if unaddressed, could further erode public trust in the electoral process and potentially lead to unrest.
[Image of Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Photo Credit: Reuters]
Published January 19, 2026, 11:54 am IST.