Bangladesh Elections 2026 | Issues, Fears and Islamic Radicalisation
January 31, 2025
Bangladesh is heading into one of the most consequential elections in its history. On 12 February 2026, the country will vote in its first national parliamentary election since the July 2024 student protests, which began over government job quotas and quickly escalated into a nationwide movement demanding political change. The unrest ultimately led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years in power and the formation of an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This election is being closely watched not just within Bangladesh, but across South Asia and beyond. While it will determine the country’s future governance and political direction, it is also deeply controversial. The Awami League, the former ruling party, has been barred from contesting, raising serious questions about democratic legitimacy, representation, and fairness. As voters head to the polls, they are navigating a complex mix of hope and fear—hope for meaningful political change, and fear of instability, violence, and the safety of minorities during the election process. In this interview, we speak to award-winning journalist Zia Chowdhury, a staff correspondent at The Business Standard, who has been reporting on Bangladesh’s politics, human rights, law enforcement, crime, and diplomacy for over a decade. We discuss:
How this election compares to previous polls in Bangladesh
Whether an election without the Awami League can be considered truly democratic
What voters care about most right now—corruption, governance, stability, or development - the dominant issues shaping public discourse on the ground?
Fears surrounding violence and atrocities against minorities.
The rise of political Islam and concerns around parties like Jamaat-e-Islami
The implications of the Jamaat–National Citizen Party alliance led by former student protest leaders
And who, if anyone, is emerging as a credible or acceptable prime ministerial candidate
As Bangladesh stands at a political crossroads, this conversation helps unpack what is really at stake—for its democracy, its minorities, and its future.