The previous government made us forget that any election—national, local, or professional—can be a festive and joyful occasion. In both national and even local government elections, all power was concentrated in the hands of a few party heavyweights. Local party bosses decided everything, from market committees to hawkers’ associations. Elections were reduced to a circus and a farce.
Years of one-sided elections, disenfranchisement, the inability to vote for one’s preferred candidate, and even the disgrace of votes being cast in the names of the deceased—people are now waiting for rhythm and balance to return. In the new political reality that emerged after the mass uprising of 2024, the countdown to the 13th National Parliamentary Election has begun. The seedbed of democracy has come alive once again; now it is time for cultivation. For the first time in many years, the country is witnessing preparations for a truly multiparty election and a genuine contest of votes. Let the contest be intense. Let competition be strong.
From the capital Dhaka to cities, ports, villages, and every corner of the country, candidates are now knocking on voters’ doors. The era of “pass whether you vote or not” is over. This scene has revived the political atmosphere of earlier days. Among voters, there is a sense of relief and expectation. After years of being deprived of their right to vote, they now hope for an end to that pain. Political parties, too, have completed their homework and are now sitting for the real examination in the field.
In the 12 February election, 130 million people are registered to vote, including nearly 4.4 million new voters. On one hand, candidates are making final preparations; on the other, the Election Commission and the administration are engaged in intense efforts to organize a festive and credible election. Although some rumors and doubts are circulating at the grassroots level, the government and senior officials have clearly stated that there is no uncertainty or ambiguity surrounding the election.
After many years, Bangladesh is witnessing a competitive, multidimensional, and voter-centric political environment. Voters are no longer forced to watch controlled, one-sided, dummy elections. The frustration of being unable to vote, of being denied the right to choose a preferred candidate, and of being rendered irrelevant as voters is finally coming to an end. Political parties are also realizing that the election will be tough. BNP, Jamaat, NCP, and other registered parties are actively campaigning. Everyone is making promises in their own way and talking about voters and their needs. This is a positive development.
Here, the imprint of national unity forged during July–August 2024 is clearly visible. Parties will compete—but not through coercion. They will contest—but not with hostility. They will recognize the people as the source of power. This is also a lesson for party workers and supporters. They are learning to see themselves as future leaders or candidates. Direct engagement with voters means becoming known on the ground, in real life.
Thanks to information technology, election campaigning on social media has intensified this time. Some candidates are speaking live, others are sharing video messages. Many have revived traditional campaign methods—courtyard meetings, pledges to solve local problems, and personal outreach to voters. Political leaders are also connecting with popular social media content creators to leverage Facebook platforms for the electoral battle.
Alongside legitimate campaigning, smear campaigns against opponents have also begun on social media. Many candidates are forming teams of young, tech-savvy content creators to disseminate election-related activities online. Banners and posters are being widely shared, and most nominated candidates are circulating photo cards featuring themselves alongside party symbols. Some update their promotional materials hourly, others daily. New ideas and innovative campaign strategies are constantly being tested.
The heat of this election has reached expatriates as well. For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis can vote through postal ballots, with nearly 1.2 million already registered. Political parties are giving special importance to Facebook to attract expatriate voters and are adopting new strategies to appeal to them, including showcasing plans for expatriate welfare.
However, misleading information is also being spread on social media. To counter this, the police cyber unit is receiving special training, and intelligence agencies remain active to prevent vested interests from creating artificial crises and disrupting the election. If peace is maintained in the electoral field, the administration remains neutral, and voter security is ensured, this election could mark a major turning point in the country’s political history.
To turn this optimism into reality, caution is essential. All parties must commit to preserving national unity. Some will win, some will lose—this must be accepted with maturity. Attempts to undermine unity are inevitable, and certain groups are already active in this regard. Stability is vital not only for politics, but also for the economy and diplomacy, and that requires a free and fair election.
Without an elected democratic government, political, economic, diplomatic, and social stability is unattainable. The country’s internal economic condition is dire. Businesspeople and investors are hopeful that once an elected government assumes office after the election, conditions will gradually improve. Political uncertainty, deteriorating law and order, and administrative instability have become major obstacles to investment.
Recent incidents of violence and attacks have significantly weakened law and order, severely damaging the investment climate and creating deep fear among business communities. This situation has become a major “boil” within the investment environment. Trust is the most crucial factor in business and investment—and that trust has been shattered. Restoring it is now essential.
At present, the three major obstacles to business are law and order, instability in the banking sector, and the energy crisis. Long-term challenges such as logistics, corruption in the National Board of Revenue, tax and VAT issues, and inadequate infrastructure persist. Despite efforts, the current government has failed to deliver meaningful results. A newly elected government may succeed.
Inflation has eroded purchasing power, directly impacting factory production lines. On one hand, unsold inventories are piling up; on the other, severe gas and electricity shortages mean factories are operating at less than half capacity. Many industrialists have been forced to reduce shifts, and some units have even shut down temporarily. Numerous garment factories have already closed, with more on the brink—causing widespread pain across the industrial sector.
Policy support from Bangladesh Bank could provide some relief. More importantly, a democratically elected government taking office after the election would restore political stability and reinvigorate bilateral and international economic relations. It would also create conditions for restructuring the private sector and rebuilding stakeholder confidence.
Overall, the economy would regain momentum. And when the economy stabilizes, policy implementation becomes easier. If the new year begins with a free, fair, and credible election, hopes of recovery will be stronger. That is why many believe 2026 could be a year of major transformation for Bangladesh.
The most significant change will come in politics—shaping the country’s future direction. Through this transformation, healthy political practices can be restored, and public trust and confidence in politics can return.
Author: Journalist and Columnist
