Bangladesh is preparing for a pivotal general election on February 12, 2026, the first parliamentary vote since the dramatic political upheaval of 2024 that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a sweeping reconfiguration of the country’s political landscape.

With the Awami League barred from contesting following legal and constitutional challenges after the transition of power, the upcoming polls mark the most open and competitive race in more than a decade.

The Election Commission has confirmed that around 50 registered political parties will participate in the vote for 300 parliamentary seats, although only a handful are mounting nationwide campaigns.

The campaign period has been marked by intense rallies, shifting alliances and heightened security, as authorities pledge to ensure a peaceful and credible ballot.

BNP Seeks Return to Power

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by its chairperson Tarique Rahman, is contesting across nearly all constituencies and is widely seen as one of the frontrunners.

The center-right party has framed the election as a vote on restoring parliamentary democracy after years of what it describes as repressive rule under the Awami League, while pledging to bring economic stability after more than a decade of political turbulence.

BNP leaders have pledged institutional reforms, judicial independence and measures to address inflation and youth unemployment, two of the pressing concerns among voters.

Islamist-Led 11-Party Alliance

A significant challenger for the BNP is the 11-party alliance spearheaded by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat). The coalition includes smaller Islamist groups such as Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis. It also include some center-right and centrist parties such as the student-led National Citizen Party (NCP), Amar Bangladesh Party and Bangladesh Labor Party.

The alliance has coordinated seat-sharing in most constituencies, aiming to unify the religious conservative base while appealing to nationalist voters who favor a tougher stance on relations with India.

The Jamaat leaders say their platform centers on governance reform, anti-corruption efforts and policies rooted in what they describe as “ethical and social justice principles.”

Islami Andolan Bangladesh

Operating independently of the Jamaat-led bloc, Islami Andolan Bangladesh is contesting a large number of seats under its own banner. Led by Syed Rezaul Karim, the party has focused its campaign on moral governance, electoral transparency and social welfare initiatives.

The party has gained visibility in recent years through grassroots mobilization and disciplined organizational networks.

National Democratic Front and Jatiya Party Factions

The National Democratic Front (NDF), which includes factions of the Jatiya Party (Ershad) along with smaller groups, is also fielding candidates in multiple constituencies.

The Jatiya Party, once a dominant force in Bangladesh politics, remains divided, but several factions have aligned under the NDF umbrella to retain parliamentary relevance.

Left-Wing Coalitions and Sunni Alliance

On the left, the Democratic United Front—comprising the Communist Party of Bangladesh and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), among others—is contesting selected constituencies. The alliance is campaigning on a platform of workers’ rights, public sector expansion and secular democratic governance.

Meanwhile, the Greater Sunni Alliance, led by the Bangladesh Islami Front, is fielding candidates in a smaller number of constituencies, aiming to mobilize religiously conservative voters outside the larger Islamist blocs.

Reform Referendum

The voters will cast two ballots on polling day; one for the parliamentary election and one for a national referendum on proposed constitutional and institutional reforms outlined in the July National Charter.

The referendum asks voters to approve or reject the implementation of the charter’s reform proposals, which include changes to government structure such as introducing a bicameral legislature and a caretaker government system, expanding women’s representation in parliament, enhancing judicial independence, and other institutional reforms.

This twin-poll makes February 12 a historic day in Bangladesh’s democratic process, combining both legislative elections and a direct public vote on the country’s constitutional future.

A Competitive and Uncertain Race

With the Awami League absent from the ballot, political analysts describe the 2026 contest as unusually fluid. The voter turnout, the performance of new alliances and the ability of opposition forces to maintain unity could prove decisive.

The Election Commission has deployed additional security personnel nationwide and has reiterated its commitment to transparency amid domestic and international scrutiny.

As campaigning enters its final days, Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. Regional expert Bahauddin Foizee said the February 12 twin polls could shape both the country’s immediate political direction and its longer-term social and institutional landscape.