Bangladesh to hold general elections on February 12 with referendum on reforms

Bangladesh will hold its general elections on February 12.

Voting will be held from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.

A national referendum on reform proposals drafted by the Muhammad Yunus-led National Consensus Commission will take place on the same day.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin announced the schedule in an address to the nation on Thursday. The CEC made the announcement a day after meeting President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who promised full cooperation to ensure a free and fair election.

This will be the first election since the Sheikh Hasina government was ousted in a violent student-led protest in August 2024.

Nomination papers must be filed by December 29. Scrutiny will be held from December 30 to January 4. Candidates can withdraw until January 20. The final list will be published on January 21. Campaigning will begin on January 22 and continue until the morning of February 10.

The last general election took place in January 2024. Sheikh Hasina won amid boycotts and allegations of irregularities. Six months later, mass protests erupted, forcing her to leave for India on August 5. Muhammad Yunus took charge as chief adviser three days later.

The interim government has since disbanded the Awami League. Hasina is 78 and has been convicted and sentenced to death. She has been living in India since fleeing Dhaka.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is seen as the frontrunner in the 2026 election. Her poor health and the exile of her son, Tarique Rahman, have affected the party’s campaign, but surveys suggest it may win the most seats.

Jamaat e Islami, once banned, has also returned as a major contender under Shafiqur Rahman. Polls place it behind the BNP.

The National Citizen Party, formed by student leaders after the uprising, is contesting but is struggling to build organisational strength. It has allied with the Amar Bangladesh party and Rashtra Songskar Andolon under the banner of Gonotantrik Sangskar Jote.

Key issues shaping the vote include restoring democracy after months of unrest, the national referendum on the July Charter, economic recovery, corruption, judicial independence, and media freedom.

Relations with India are also in focus after a period of strain created by New Delhi’s close ties with the Hasina government.