Bangladesh Factions Rally Ahead of 2026 Elections

In Dhaka on Thursday, three days of political rallies began as Bangladesh's factions compete for political influence ahead of expected elections. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who has been in charge of the government since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left to protests amid an uprising last August, has said elections will take place by mid 2026. The rallies mark a vital moment in the return to democratic processes after years of chaos.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is a front-runner in elections, and it launched its campaign with a May Day rally, which it called “historic.” Jamaat-e-Islami and the Jatiya Party which was previously aligned to Hasina’s Awami League also demonstrated. The Jatiya Party’s rally, the first rally since offices were vandalised last October, also addressed allegations that it “allegedly facilitated” the prior regime’s hold on power.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) was established by student protest leaders and has planned a rally on Friday to rally their supporters. While organizers are attempting to downplay expectations, they have an expectation of tens of thousands attending. The NCP formed from the anti-Hasina protests and is hoping to grow from a grassroots movement into a governing party.

Hefazat-e-Islam, group of Islamic seminaries, held their rally on Saturday to call for the repeal of the women’s rights changes proposed by a state commission, and leader Mamunul Haque warned they will continue to put pressure. This indicates the growing influence of religious conservatism in Bangladeshi politics after Hasina.