Ballot Paper Without the Boat Symbol After 30 Years
One of the country’s oldest political parties, the Awami League, boycotted the election twice; and this time, due to the suspension of its registration, it did not get the opportunity to contest at all. As a result, the boat symbol is not even on the postal ballot.
Washington Briefing: Election Without Awami League Questioned
At a U.S. congressional briefing, some participants expressed the view that the election set to take place in Bangladesh without the Awami League will be regarded as “questionable.”
Competition and Participation Fade in the Absence of Regional Parties
While other districts of the country are witnessing campaign activities, posters, banners, and rallies centered around the National Parliamentary Election, the picture in the three districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban is completely different. There is no electoral heat here, nor any indication of strong competition.
The Guardian: Islamist Rise Sparks Concern for Women’s Rights Before Bangladesh Vote
As midnight struck, women carrying flaming torches marched through the streets of Dhaka, their chants rising above the city’s traffic. “The people shed their blood now we demand equality,” they cried. Across Bangladesh, recent weeks have brought both celebration and anticipation. After the violent student-led uprising in August 2024 that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s regime and left more than 1,000 people dead, the country is now preparing for its first promised free and fair election in 17 years, scheduled for Thursday.
77% of People Unaware of What the July Charter Contains: Survey
Reforms are being carried out based on the much-discussed July National Charter. The charter will be implemented if the upcoming referendum is won. However, most people do not know what the July Charter contains. This figure stands at 77.2 percent. In contrast, 37.2 percent of people said they know what is included in the July Charter. Even within this group, disparities exist. These findings emerged from the pre-election public perception survey conducted by the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) and Youth for Policy.
Dhaka University Teachers: Election Not Acceptable Without All Parties
Ahead of the Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, the Dhaka University teachers’ organization ‘Blue Group’ has stated that no election or referendum will be acceptable to the nation without the participation of all political parties. The organization expressed this concern and demand in a press release on Monday, February 9, 2026.
More than 21 political parties are not participating in the election
Ahead of the upcoming Thirteenth National Parliamentary Election, although the Election Commission (EC) is claiming that the vote will be “participatory” and “competitive,” the ground reality is conveying a very different message. Of the 60 registered political parties, at least 21 are not participating in the election as political parties; moreover, due to the banning of activities and suspension of registration, the country’s largest party, the Awami League, is also outside the electoral process.
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.