The upcoming national election has become the main topic of discussion across Bangladesh. With reports suggesting the election will be held in the first half of February, a sense of relief is spreading among the public. Prospective candidates have intensified outreach in their constituencies, and processions are becoming a common sight.
Many are also active on social media. While some top leaders of various parties express different views at the central level, their grassroots leaders are actively engaged in campaigning. There is widespread curiosity, especially regarding which candidates will receive nominations from major parties like the BNP. Smaller parties are waiting for opportunities to form alliances with larger ones.
Following a recent meeting in London between Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, a mutual understanding on the election timeline has reportedly accelerated political activities nationwide.
Election experts emphasize that a fair election has been a long-standing public demand. People are eager to vote and choose their preferred government. They believe the Election Commission (EC) should face no issues in holding the vote in early February.
Ensuring a free and fair election is now the biggest challenge for the interim government and the EC. Experts stress the need for a swift roadmap to carry out all necessary preparations for the election. While full political consensus may be unrealistic, the endorsement of a majority of parties is considered sufficient. Most parties are in favor of elections.
Some smaller and newer parties feel they could organize themselves better with more time, though many doubt their ability to do so effectively. Others argue that the understanding reached in London between Dr. Yunus and Tarique Rahman has garnered support from most parties. However, broader discussions with other parties are still needed to finalize the election timeline.
Jasmin Tuli, member of the Election System Reform Commission and former Additional Secretary of the EC Secretariat, told the media on Saturday that the interim government initially mentioned a timeline between December and June for the election. The Chief Adviser later announced April, and finally suggested in London that elections could be held the week before Ramadan in 2026, which aligns with early February next year. She believes the EC can conduct the election during that time without issue but must promptly prepare a roadmap. With about six months remaining before the possible February election, tasks like redistricting, party registration, RPO reform through ordinance, observer guidelines, and electoral rule updates must begin immediately. Some of these steps are reportedly already underway, including finalizing the voter list. She added that meetings between the EC and political parties are also necessary.
She further noted that most parties seem prepared for elections, with some having already finalized their candidates. Field-level outreach is active, especially among parties involved in the July mass uprising. The primary challenge for the interim government and EC now lies in conducting a widely accepted election. A delay of a month or two is less significant than the credibility of the election itself, as its impact will be long-lasting.
Election expert and Reform Commission member Dr. Md. Abdul Alim said there is no room for doubt or uncertainty about the upcoming national election. The country is moving swiftly back toward democratic processes, with widespread national discourse focused on the election. The agreement reached in London has been welcomed by most parties, though further discussion with dissenting parties like Jamaat and NCP is needed. Time is running short, and legal and electoral reforms will be required following the July Charter to create a favorable election environment. Law and order must also improve, which is possible with cooperation from all stakeholders.
Former Secretary and political analyst Abu Alam Shahid Khan believes that elections reflect the people’s aspirations. He argues that these aspirations were not fulfilled in the 2014, 2018, or even the 2024 elections, citing incidents of voter suppression, ballot-stuffing, and uncontested wins. The public now hopes for a free and fair election following the fall of the Awami League government during the July mass uprising. While the interim government has suggested various timelines, the most likely window remains the week before Ramadan in February. Yet the situation remains fluid and conditional.
The understanding between Tarique Rahman and Dr. Yunus is seen as positive by most, though some like Jamaat and NCP disagree. Dr. Yunus has returned to Bangladesh and is expected to meet with the Advisory Council to finalize the matter. Therefore, uncertainty about the election still lingers. While all parties seem interested in participating, some newer and weaker parties argue for more time to organize, though there’s little indication they will succeed. Public support for these groups, which was evident before August 5, has since diminished, and they now rely on Jamaat and other Islamist groups to mobilize crowds. These groups want more time for the election, but the exact duration remains unclear. Some parties that feel disadvantaged by an early election are opposing any rapid consensus, and those demanding local government elections first are also essentially delaying the national vote.
According to local and staff reporters, election activities have begun across the country. In all six constituencies of Brahmanbaria, BNP and Jamaat candidates are likely to compete strongly. The new political party NSP is gradually ramping up its presence. Based on conversations with activists and their social media posts, heavyweight candidates have been exchanging Eid greetings with constituents and organizing reunion events to build connections.
In Bagerhat’s four constituencies, several BNP and Jamaat candidates have already launched campaigns. No candidates from other parties are currently active in the field. BNP candidates are holding rallies, meetings, and motorcycle processions to gain support. Jamaat candidates are doing the same, combining online and on-the-ground outreach.
In Dhaka-20 (Dhamrai), BNP nomination seekers Tamiz Uddin and Yaseen Ferdous Murad are holding meetings in all 16 unions and the municipality. Central BNP leader Sultana Ahmed and Dhaka district volunteer leader Nazmul Hasan Abhi are also maintaining low-key engagements. Jamaat’s Dhaka North leader Abdur Rauf and Khilafat Majlis’s district head Mufti Ashraf Ali have already put up posters and are actively campaigning.
In Barishal, eager candidates have hit the ground, using the Eid-ul-Azha holidays to conduct early outreach. BNP leaders in particular have hosted feasts and rallies.
In Gazipur-2, a campaign motorcycle rally was launched yesterday. At the start of the rally in Tongi, Jamaat leader Prof. Md. Jamal Uddin stated that only honest, God-fearing, and patriotic individuals should be elected to ensure a just society. He urged strong, door-to-door campaigning in favor of Jamaat’s candidate.
In contrast, Meherpur’s political scene remains quiet, despite the announcement of a potential election timeline. BNP remains the largest party in the area, but internal groupings have emerged after the new district committee was announced on August 5. Jamaat has already nominated candidates for both seats in Meherpur, and NCP has recently approved its coordination committee.
In Lakshmipur-3 (Sadar), BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie and Jamaat candidate Rezaul Karim are holding meetings in remote areas and attending social functions, boosting their public visibility.
In Lakshmipur-4 (Ramgati and Kamalnagar), candidates include BNP’s Ashraf Uddin Nizan, JSD President ASM Abdur Rab, Islami Andolan leader Khaled Saifullah, and Jamaat’s A.R. Hafiz Ullah. Of these, Ashraf Uddin and Khaled Saifullah are actively canvassing the area, while Abdur Rab’s wife, Tania Rab, is leading party activities due to his illness.
News of the February election has brought relief to residents of Jhenaidah. Locals believe a political government formed through elections will help resolve ongoing national crises. Political leaders echo this sentiment, saying elections are essential to restore democracy and good governance.
Abdur Rashid, a resident of Hamdah, Jhenaidah, said, “We haven’t had a political government for 10 months. Law and order has deteriorated, and crime is on the rise. Elections are the only solution. We welcome the timeline discussed in the London meeting between Tarique Rahman and the Chief Adviser.”
Ali Azam Md. Abu Bakar, district Jamaat leader, said, “Certain reforms are needed before the election. We hope the interim government completes these in time.”
District BNP President Advocate M.A. Majid stated, “There has been no democracy in the past 17 years. We’ve fought to restore it, and we hope democracy returns through the February election.”
Courtesy: Daily Sun.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
