In Focus Podcast | Bangladesh elections 2026: Decoding the big themes and trends

Bangladesh will have its general elections on February 12. Nearly 2,000 candidates will contest on 300 seats of the Jatiya Sangsad. Alongside the parliamentary vote, electors will also vote in a referendum – on whether or not to adopt the July National Charter. 

Bangladesh has two major legacy parties — the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the Awami League. With the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League banned from contesting, the two main players are the BNP, which is contesting from 288 seats, and the Jamaat-e-Islami, which is seeking 224 seats. There is also the student-led National Citizens Party (NCP), which will contest in 32 seats, as part of an alliance with the BNP.

What are the main issues in this election? What’s at stake for the minorities in Bangladesh? What are the prospects for the non-legacy parties?

Guest: Kallol Bhattacharjee from The Hindu’s Delhi bureau, who joins us from Dhaka.

Host: G Sampath

Producer: Jude Weston

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