Bangladesh Election: Main Parties and Key Issues Ahead of February Vote
Reported By Atiqur Rahman Eshte
Social Media Influencer & Sub-Editor, dailyseshkatha.online
DHAKA, Bangladesh —
Bangladesh will hold a national election on February 12, the first since a student-led uprising toppled long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. Her Awami League, the country’s largest political party for more than a decade, has been barred from contesting, radically reshaping the electoral landscape of the Muslim-majority nation of 173 million.
As campaigning intensifies, three parties have emerged as the most significant players. At the same time, the country prepares for a national referendum, to be held on the same day, on sweeping constitutional reforms.
MAIN POLITICAL PARTIES
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)
Led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the BNP is the frontrunner.
A recent poll by the U.S.-based International Republican Institute (IRI) suggests the party could win the majority of seats.
Founded in 1978 by Khaleda’s late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, the BNP advocates Bangladeshi nationalism, market-friendly economic policies, and anti-corruption reforms.
However, its campaign faces challenges:
Khaleda Zia’s deteriorating health
Acting chief Tarique Rahman operating in exile from London
Uncertainty over whether Tarique will return before polling day
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh
Once banned under Hasina’s rule, Jamaat has resurfaced strongly after the uprising.
Polls show it finishing second, with solid support among conservative and Islamist voters.
Led by Shafiqur Rahman, Jamaat campaigns for:
Islamic governance under Sharia
Anti-corruption measures
A “mafia-free society”
The party previously governed in coalition with the BNP from 2001–2006.
National Citizen Party (NCP)
The NCP emerged from the student movement that forced Hasina from power. But despite mass mobilisation in the streets, it has struggled to build a nationwide campaign network.
Its 24-point manifesto calls for:
A brand-new constitution
Judicial reform
Free media
Universal health care and education
Climate resilience strategies
Led by Nahid Islam, 27, a prominent figure from last year’s uprising and a former member of the Yunus-led caretaker government, the NCP aims to contest all 300 seats.
However, the IRI poll shows the NCP at 6%, trailing BNP (30%) and Jamaat (26%).
NCP STRUGGLES TO CONVERT STREET POWER INTO VOTES
Thousands initially rallied behind the student leaders, hoping they would break Bangladesh’s decades-long cycle of BNP–Awami League rivalry. But frustration is growing due to the party’s weak organisation, unclear ideological stance, and indecisiveness on sensitive issues such as:
Minority rights
Women’s rights
Secular governance
“They say they are centrist, but their actions don’t match that,” said Prapti Taposhi, a feminist activist and former leader of the anti-Hasina movement. “When they take a position, it comes too late.”
The NCP’s failure to win a single seat in the Dhaka University student elections—the heart of the uprising—has been widely seen as a major setback.
With the Awami League barred, the political environment remains volatile.
Party leaders have warned of mass unrest if the ban is not lifted—a threat that could disrupt the country’s textile and garment industry, the second-largest in the world.
NCP HOLDS TALKS FOR POSSIBLE ALLIANCE
Facing structural weaknesses, low funding, and poor rural reach, the NCP is engaged in alliance talks with both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, according to senior leaders.
“If we stand independently, there is a chance we may not win even one seat,” said a top NCP official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Political analysts caution that an alliance could dilute the NCP’s “revolutionary” image.
“An alliance would place them squarely within the old political triangle of Awami League–BNP–Jamaat,” said Dhaka-based writer and analyst Altaf Parvez.
After the uprising, most student activists returned to their original political affiliations, leaving only a fraction to form the NCP, analysts say.
Bangladesh’s Referendum: Then and Now
Bangladesh is heading toward its fourth national referendum as nearly 125 million voters prepare to cast their ballots on 12 February 2026, the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Since independence, the country has held three referendums—in 1977, 1985 and 1991—each returning overwhelming approval votes ranging from 84% to 98%.
The announcement came on Thursday (11 December 2025) at 6 pm, when Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin, in an address to the nation, declared the schedules for both the national election and the referendum.
Four Proposals, One Single Answer
The upcoming referendum concerns the implementation of the July National Charter (Constitution Reform). The ballot will contain four proposals, but voters will be able to respond only once—either “Yes” or “No”—to indicate their approval or rejection of all four proposals collectively.
The referendum question will read: “Do you approve the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025 and the proposed constitutional reforms listed below?”
The four proposals include:
a. Formation of the election-time caretaker government, Election Commission, and other constitutional bodies in accordance with the July Charter.
b. Introduction of a bicameral parliament, with a 100-member upper house elected based on proportional representation of national votes. Any constitutional amendment would require a majority in the upper house.
c. Mandatory implementation of 30 agreed reforms—such as increasing women’s representation, electing the Deputy Speaker from the opposition, enhancing judicial independence, strengthening local government, revising the tenure of the Prime Minister and powers of the President—by the political parties winning the upcoming national election.
d. Implementation of any additional reforms outlined in the July Charter according to the commitments of political parties.
Voters will provide their referendum verdict through a separate ballot on election day.
Previous Referendums in Bangladesh
A referendum is a direct vote by citizens to accept or reject a significant national decision. Since independence, Bangladesh has held three such referendums:
1977 Referendum
Held on 30 May 1977.
Sought public opinion on President Ziaur Rahman’s leadership, policies and political course.
Result: 98.8% “Yes”, 1.12% “No”.
1985 Referendum
Held on 21 March 1985.
Aimed to legitimize President Hussain Muhammad Ershad’s military rule and determine whether he should remain President until elections under the suspended Constitution.
Result: 94% “Yes”, around 6% “No.”
1991 Referendum
Held on 15 September 1991 under Article 142(1A) of the Constitution.
Asked voters whether the President should approve the Twelfth Amendment Bill, which sought to restore the parliamentary form of government.
Result: 84% “Yes”, 16% “No”.
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