Pre-election violence shadows Bangladesh’s polls as 127 million prepare to vote

On January 28, supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami became embroiled in a dispute over front-row seating at a programme in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur district, triggering a violent clash. At least 65 people were injured, and a Jamaat upazila secretary was killed. Police and army personnel were present at the scene but were unable to prevent the violence. Similar clashes have been reported across the country as Bangladesh heads towards national elections on February 12, the first since the dramatic ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

The 13th national election, involving nearly 127 million voters, has raised hopes of a peaceful transition from the post-Hasina interim government to an elected administration. But the pre-election violence has posed new challenges to the election process. At least 15 political leaders and activists have been killed in the 36 days since the Election Commission announced the election schedule on December 11, 2025.

For first-time voters like Taimur Mobin, a 22-year-old graduate of a public university in Dhaka, the growing unrest has dampened expectations. “After a mass uprising that promised the restoration of voting rights, this kind of violence is deeply discouraging,” he said. “If it continues, many voters especially elderly people may avoid polling centres.”

Images of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are displayed at Bangabandhu Gate in Gopalganj, Bangladesh, February 2, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Alarming situation

Human rights organisations say the scale of violence is alarming. According to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), at least 195 people were killed and 11,229 injured in political violence over the past 17 months. Nearly half of those incidents stemmed from internal conflicts within the BNP and its affiliated bodies, accounting for 121 deaths and 7,131 injuries. Another rights group, Odhikar, reported an even higher toll, stating that 328 people were killed and 9,182 injured in political violence between August 9, 2024, and December 31, 2025.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) warned that the risk of violence could extend beyond polling day. “We all hope there will not be a single killing or incident, but we cannot guarantee that,” said TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman. “Based on past experience, the risk may continue for several days after February 12.”

TIB records show that at least 600 incidents of political violence were reported nationwide between August 2024 and December 2025, resulting in 158 deaths. Mr. Iftekharuzzaman stressed that Bangladesh’s history of violent elections should serve as a warning. “Lessons from previous polls must be used to prevent violence this time,” he said.

Bangladesh Border Guard personnel stand guard as Inquilab Mancha supporters hold a protest gathering demanding justice for the killing of their party leader Sharif Osman Hadi in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
AP

As polling day approaches, political parties continue to trade accusations. Jamaat-e-Islami has repeatedly alleged attacks on its women activists by BNP supporters and accused the EC of playing a “passive role.” Islami Andolan Bangladesh, another Islamist party, has claimed that its female campaigners were attacked by Jamaat supporters. Independent candidates have not been spared. On February 5, at least 20 people, including an independent candidate in Chandpur-4 constituency, were injured in an attack allegedly carried out by BNP supporters. The BNP, in turn, has accused Jamaat of exploiting religious sentiment and harassing its female activists.

Vacuum of responsibility

Mr. Shahadat Shadhin, a political analyst and research scholar at South Asian University, said the situation reflects a failure of authority. “Election-related violence is increasing, but I do not see sufficient seriousness from the interim government,” he said. “The Election Commission is constitutionally empowered during elections, yet no visible action has been taken. This vacuum of responsibility is extremely alarming.”

Adding to the volatility, Dhaka is witnessing major protests seemingly unrelated to electoral politics. On Friday (February 6, 2026), government employees staged a sit-in outside Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s residence demanding implementation of a new pay scale. Police dispersed the protest using batons, water cannons and sound grenades, injuring dozens. Another platform, Inqilab Moncho, also held demonstrations demanding a UN-supervised investigation into the killing of its spokesperson Osman Hadi.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Army on Thursday (February 5, 2026) reaffirmed its full preparedness to help conduct the elections and referendum in a “fair, free and peaceful” manner. Its Military Operations Director Brig Gen Dewan Mohammad Monzur Hossain said troops are already conducting extensive field-level activities as part of all-out preparations.

Currently the authorities are deploying a massive security apparatus, planning to send 900,000 personnel, including over 100,000 military members, to guard polling centres from February 8-14. Over half of the country’s 42,761 polling stations have been classified as “risky” and will receive heightened protection. Besides, a total of 544 temporary army camps have been set up in 411 upazilas across 62 districts in the country.

Published – February 06, 2026 06:03 pm IST