Bangladesh is set to hold its first general election since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a watershed moment that will shape the country's future after years of political turmoil. The Election Commission announced that voting for a new parliament and a concurrent national referendum on the 'July Charter' reforms will take place on February 12, 2026. This election marks a decisive break from the Hasina era, which ended in August 2024 when a deadly student-led uprising forced her to flee the country for India.
Since Hasina's departure, an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has governed the nation of 173 million people. However, this caretaker government has faced rising public discontent over delays in implementing promised reforms, fuelling fresh protests and political divisions. The simultaneous referendum on the 'July Charter' is a direct response to the systemic issues that flourished under Hasina's rule. The charter proposes sweeping changes to state institutions, including curbing the excessive concentration of power in the executive branch, strengthening judicial and electoral independence, and preventing the misuse of law-enforcement agencies in political disputes.
The political landscape for the upcoming vote reflects a dramatic shift. Hasina's Awami League has been barred from contesting the election, a move that has drawn threats of unrest from the party. With the former ruling party sidelined, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is widely seen as the frontrunner. In a significant development, the Jamaat-e-Islami party, Bangladesh's largest Islamic party, is returning to electoral politics after the interim government eased restrictions. Jamaat had been barred from elections since a 2013 court ruling found its registration conflicted with the country's secular constitution. Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party, formed by the student leaders of the 2024 uprising, is struggling to translate its street power into electoral success.
Voters face a critical set of challenges shaped by the legacy of the previous administration. Key issues include restoring genuine democratic rule, reviving an economy where the vital garment industry was disrupted by past instability, and repairing strained ties with neighbouring India, a relationship damaged by New Delhi's decision to shelter the ousted Hasina. Other pressing concerns are tackling deep-seated corruption and ensuring media freedom, both of which deteriorated under the previous government.
The February election is more than a parliamentary contest; it is a historic opportunity for Bangladesh to redefine its political future. The concurrent referendum offers citizens a direct say in dismantling the authoritarian structures of the past and building a more accountable state. The outcome will determine whether the country can move beyond the shadow of Sheikh Hasina's rule and embark on a new, more stable chapter.