Despite Being Key Voters, Women Barely Lead in Bangladesh Election
Female candidates remain significantly underrepresented in Bangladesh’s 2026 election, with only 85 women contesting out of 1,981 candidates. Despite women being a key voter group, their low presence in leadership and campaign activities highlights ongoing gender gaps in politics, say activists and candidates.
Only Participatory Elections Can Restore Public Trust, Says Sheikh Hasina
At a time when various discussions and expectations have emerged in Bangladesh’s political arena regarding the upcoming national election, Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has clearly outlined her position on the country’s democratic future. She stated that only a free, fair, and participatory election can ensure political stability and restore public confidence.
Election Process Violates Constitution: 707 Lawyers Call for Boycott
A total of 707 lawyers of the Supreme Court have called for a boycott of the upcoming 13th National Parliament election, describing it as directly unconstitutional and an illegal political event. In their words, this is not an election, but rather a staged drama designed to forcibly legitimize the government, where the people’s voting rights have been deliberately buried.
Election Uncertainty Grows as IPI Calls for Media Freedom and Journalist Safety
International media watchdog organisation the International Press Institute (IPI) has called for ensuring media freedom and the safety of journalists ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming national parliamentary election. The organisation has issued a warning to political parties, the interim government and election-related authorities to ensure an environment where journalists can work freely and safely. According to IPI, a free and impartial election is not possible without a free media.
Weak Regulation Fuels Election Violence: TIB
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Sunday said that most political parties and candidates contesting the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election continue to practise traditional violent politics, raising serious concerns about the overall electoral environment.
Human Chain Calls for Protection of Minority, Indigenous and Women Voters Ahead of Election
With only three days remaining before the 13th National Parliamentary Election, civil society organisations have expressed serious concern over the safety and voting rights of minority, indigenous and women voters across the country.
Civil Society Raises Alarm Over Minority Security and Voter Suppression
A press conference was held on Sunday morning at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters Unity, demanding the assurance of life and property security and the unhindered exercise of voting rights for religious minorities and all marginalized communities in the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election. Organized by Citizens for Human Rights, the press conference highlighted recent incidents of violence in minority-populated areas and shared experiences from field observations.
The BNP candidate said, “Please do not engage in extortion until the 12th
Sarwar Jamal Nizam, the BNP-nominated candidate in the Chattogram-13 (Anwara and Karnaphuli) constituency, has publicly requested extortionists to stop extortion until 12 February. He made this request on Friday night while inaugurating an election office in the Chatari area of Anwara Upazila. A 55-second video of his remarks has spread on social media. Someone present at the event recorded the video.
Excluding the Awami League will make the 12 February election non-inclusive: CPD
The Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has commented that the upcoming election scheduled to be held on 12 February will not be inclusive if the Awami League is excluded from the election.
Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Babunagari: Voting for Jamaat-e-Islami Is ‘Not Permissible’ for Muslims
Hefazat-e-Islam Amir Muhibbullah Babunagari has said that voting for Jamaat-e-Islami would not be “permissible” (jaez) for Muslims. He claimed that if Jamaat comes to power, the interests of Islam and Muslims would be harmed.