Following a high-profile meeting in London between Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, political parties across the country have launched full-scale preparations for the upcoming national election, expected to be held in February 2026.
Leaders across the political parties said the meeting has cleared uncertainty surrounding the election timeline, prompting both major and minor parties to mobilize supporters, finalize candidates, and build organizational strength in key constituencies.
In addition, many have started rushing to complete various election calculations and compromises behind the scenes, including constitute sharing.
BNP standing committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said that BNP is a large political party. “The organizational work of a political party is election preparation. Election preparation is always there. But the selection of candidates has not yet officially begun. The election schedule will be announced, after which we will call for nominations.”
The party's Dhaka divisional joint organizing secretary Nazrul Islam Azad said that the fog created over the national election has been cleared through the meeting. “The countrymen are now in an election mood.”
Political party leaders said that after the London meeting, the candidates have increased their contact in the area, saying that 'elections can be organized even in the week before the start of Ramadan'.
Dr AZM Fariduzzaman Farhad, chairman of the National People’s Party (NPP) and chief coordinator of an alliance of like-minded parties, said, “In my constituency Narail-2, we are already holding meetings starting from the hat market to neighborhoods and neighborhoods. However, a different dimension has been added since the meeting in London.”
He said that not only his constituency, but the entire country has now created an election mood.
Possible candidate od Lakshmipur-1 constituency, Shahadat Hossain Selim, spokesperson of the 12-party alliance and chairman of Bangladesh LDP, said, “The much-awaited elections are being held in February. You can say that the election train has started moving.”
He said, “I stay in the area for 15 days a month. Now I will stay more. I will spend the entire time preparing the election ground.”
Those concerned said that a conflict situation had arisen in politics. For now, it has been resolved. This can be said without a doubt because the government has reached an agreement with a major party. Besides, most political parties are calling the meeting positive. In this way, the country is moving towards elections through greater unity and agreement. That is why the election train has started its journey.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and National Citizen Party (NCP) expressed some anger and resentment over the issue of the election deadline in the London meeting, but they are not lagging behind in election preparations.
Jamaat-e-Islami is continuing its campaign by announcing its list of potential candidates for about 300 constituencies. Apart from this, the NCP has been conducting organizational activities across the country since before Eid. Now the party is focusing on organizing committees.
Nagorik Oikya and Biplobi Workers Party have started election preparations. Although the LDP is preparing for the election, they want to contest the elections with BNP on the basis of an agreement. Gono Forum, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal and Gono Odhikar Porishod are preparing for the elections as parties. According to relevant sources, if a consensus is reached through discussions with BNP before the elections, they will field candidates on the basis of an agreement.
Nagorik Oikya President Mahmudur Rahman Manna said that the election preparations have started slowly and the strategy is being decided. Biplobi Workers Party General Secretary Saiful Haque said that we have focused on organizational work. “There has been no formal discussion with BNP yet on whether to participate in the elections through an alliance or through an agreement. Discussions will be held when the elections come closer.”
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) General Secretary Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan said, “We have been preparing for the elections for a long time. We are in a simultaneous movement with BNP. There has been no formal discussion on whether we will participate in the elections as an alliance or not.”
Gana Odhikar Parishad General Secretary Md Rashed Khan said, “We are preparing for the elections as a party. There has been no discussion on participating in the elections as an alliance with BNP. A decision will be taken when the election schedule is announced.”
Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Secretary General Dr Redwan Ahmed said, “We will try to contest the elections together with BNP on the basis of an agreement.” He mentioned that preparations are underway for the elections.
On the other hand, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is preparing for the elections in an alliance with Islamic parties. The party led by Charmonai Pir will take the final decision after the schedule is announced.
Meanwhile, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh has decided not to participate in the elections under its own banner. The leaders of the organization will contest the elections as candidates of their respective parties.
Hefazat-e-Islam Joint Secretary General Maulana Azizul Haque Islamabadi said that no one will participate in the elections under the banner of Hefazat-e-Islam. “However, the political parties affiliated with Hefazat will participate in the elections as they wish.”
(Translated by Tanvir Raihan)
