Political Violence Intensifies Ahead of Bangladesh Election: 11 Killed, 616 Injured
Human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) says that incidents of political violence increased alarmingly in January, reaching a severe level. In just one month, at least 11 people were killed and 616 injured in 75 clashes across the country, directly calling into question the environment for a free and fair election.
Extremist Influence, Foreign Pressure Threaten Bangladesh’s Democracy: Sajeeb Wazed Joy
Speaking at a book launch in Kolkata, Sajeeb Wazed Joy warned that Bangladesh is facing extremist influence and foreign pressure, saying the upcoming election will not be free or fair and could push the country into deeper instability.
Women’s Political Rights Held Hostage by Religion-Based Politics
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has warned that the increasing influence of religion‑based politics is restricting women’s political participation and undermining gender equality and social diversity.
Lowest Number of Female Candidates in a Decade and a Half
In Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary election, women remain severely underrepresented, with only 65 female candidates around 3.5 percent contesting despite women making up nearly half of the electorate, highlighting persistent gender bias within political party nominations and the absence of enforceable legal safeguards.
Sheikh Hasina Seen Healthy and Confident
A delegation of the UK Awami League recently met with former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina in New Delhi. The five-member delegation, which traveled from London, held a nearly five-hour-long meeting with Sheikh Hasina on January 21. They returned to the United Kingdom on January 26 after completing their visit.
While candidates reach voters, diplomats engage power
While candidates campaign among the people, foreign ambassadors remain busy engaging with power centers highlighting the growing gap between voters and external influence in the election process.
Bangladesh to Issue Passports to 69,000 Rohingyas in Saudi Arabia: Foreign Affairs Adviser
Foreign Affairs Adviser of the interim government, Md. Touhid Hossain, has said that 69,000 Rohingyas will be given Bangladeshi passports. However, issuing passports does not mean that they will become Bangladeshi citizens.
Young Bangladeshis, Disillusioned After Sheikh Hasina’s Fall, Look Back to the Old Guard
After a youth-led uprising that ended the long rule of Sheikh Hasina, many young Bangladeshis who once dreamed of a dramatic political transformation now find themselves grappling with disappointment and uncertainty. As the country moves closer to national elections in February 2026, the optimism that fueled the protests has faded, replaced by frustration over the lack of meaningful alternatives and the persistence of old political dynamics.
Bangladesh Under Yunus: A Troubling Decline in Peace, Dignity, and Sovereignty
On a January morning in 2026, the bodies of Kaniz Subarna Swarnali and her nine-month-old child were found inside their modest home in Sabekdanga village of Bagerhat Sadar. The discovery of a mother and her infant dead under such circumstances would be shattering in any country. But in Bangladesh a nation once admired for rising from hardship to independence—this tragedy stands as a haunting emblem of political failure, systemic neglect, and a steady erosion of respect for human life.
Bangladesh Elections Shadowed by Rising Political Violence
Rising political violence, targeted killings, and street clashes are fueling fear ahead of Bangladesh’s February 12 parliamentary elections, raising concerns over security, voter safety, and the credibility of the first national vote since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.