Bangladesh Defense
Saif
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Post-uprising general election, referendum tomorrow
A crucial general election analogous with a referendum is tomorrow for Bangladesh's post-uprising transition into democratic practices obliterated through last three polls that culminated to the downfall of the previous government. Meanwhile, the interim government prepares for exit, as its head,
Now wait for new parliament, govt in democratic transition
Post-uprising general election, referendum tomorrow
FHM HUMAYAN KABIR and SAIF UDDIN
Published :
Feb 11, 2026 00:49
Updated :
Feb 11, 2026 00:53
A crucial general election analogous with a referendum is tomorrow for Bangladesh's post-uprising transition into democratic practices obliterated through last three polls that culminated to the downfall of the previous government.
Meanwhile, the interim government prepares for exit, as its head, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in address to the nation on Tuesday evening said they were "eagerly waiting to transfer power happily to an elected government".
Young voters, nearly one-third of the total 127.71 million, would play a crucial role in the 13th national elections on the cusp of major changes in the polity, it is believed, as the entire country is on enigma with the next election results.
Election this time around is also seen as a litmus test for the country's long-struggling Election Commission (EC) to regain its image, shattered though holding the controversial three elections in 2014, 2019 and in 2024 under the ousted Sheikh Hasina government.
The 127.71 million voters would elect 299 members of parliament (MPs) casting vote at 42,779 centres across the country. The election to Sherpur-3 seat has been put on hold following the death of a candidate.
For the first time, the EC has paved the way for casting vote by non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) and people staying away from their respected polling centres due to election duty and for other reasons. Prisoners are also eligible for exercising their "fundamental right".
A total of 1.528 million ballots were posted to the NRBs and those eligible voters to cast their vote to choose candidates and give opinion on the uprising-mandated reforms through the referendum meant for constitutional changes.
Voters are now ready to choose their representatives Thursday as thousands of people also left Dhaka in last two days for their native homes for voting. The voters will choose their representatives from among a total 2,028 candidates in the race from 50 political parties across the constituencies.
Voters will be handed two separate ballots--white ballot for parliament vote for electing 300 MPs and a pink ballot for referendum for "Yes/No" vote on the July National Charter, a comprehensive reform package designed to prevent the return of one-party dominance.
They would choose "yes" or "no" options in the referendum aimed at paving the way for a major overhaul in democratic institutions like parliament and electoral system.
The EC has already sent all the poll materials, including ballots and ballot boxes, to the 42,779 centres for holding a "free and fair election".
On demand from the EC, the government would deploy nearly 1.0 million security personnel from various agencies across the country to maintain law and order for a smooth conduct of the polls on February 12.
In addition, 1,051 executive magistrates have been mobilised and will remain in the field until February 14 to oversee law and order and electoral compliance.
The personnel include members of the army, navy, air force, police, BGB, Rab, Ansar and VDP, coast guard and other auxiliary forces.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police has identified around 24,000 polling centres fraught with high or medium risks for the 13th Parliamentary Election, roughly half of the total 42,779 centres, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said Tuesday.
Police initially categorised 8,770 centres as high-risk, about 16,000 as medium-risk, and roughly 16,000 as general-risk, noting that the exercise was not definitive.
The IGP also outlines a three-tier security plan, with static forces deployed at every polling centre, mobile patrol teams outside, and striking units on standby to respond to emergencies.
A total of 157,805 police personnel will be on election-security duty. Of these, 93,391 will be stationed at polling centres, with the remainder serving in mobile and striking units.
An additional 29,798 personnel from police stations and other units will provide election-related support, bringing the total deployment to 187,603, he added.
According to the police chief, technology will play a key role as 80-90 per cent of polling centres have come under CCTV cameras.
Body cameras will be used at risk-prone centres, while superintendents of police will operate drones where available, depending on "capacity and necessity," the IGP said in reassuring a security bulwark for voting.
Analysts say it is not only the 43.30 million young (aged between 18 and 33 years) voters, 62.88 million women voters, nearly half the total, would also be a factor in the election.
Among the total 127.7 million voters, 10 million have been entered into the voting list in recent years who are also a factor in electing the candidates in the new Bangladesh, where these Gen-Zs would be a big factor.
Analysts say since the young voters and the women would be the influential factors in electing MPs, the political parties have pledged to create employment and establish women-friendly environment in workplaces.
The key political parties vying for the election -the Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam, and the National Citizen Party (NCP)--have announced their election manifestos that tried for attracting the young.
Post-uprising general election, referendum tomorrow
FHM HUMAYAN KABIR and SAIF UDDIN
Published :
Feb 11, 2026 00:49
Updated :
Feb 11, 2026 00:53
A crucial general election analogous with a referendum is tomorrow for Bangladesh's post-uprising transition into democratic practices obliterated through last three polls that culminated to the downfall of the previous government.
Meanwhile, the interim government prepares for exit, as its head, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in address to the nation on Tuesday evening said they were "eagerly waiting to transfer power happily to an elected government".
Young voters, nearly one-third of the total 127.71 million, would play a crucial role in the 13th national elections on the cusp of major changes in the polity, it is believed, as the entire country is on enigma with the next election results.
Election this time around is also seen as a litmus test for the country's long-struggling Election Commission (EC) to regain its image, shattered though holding the controversial three elections in 2014, 2019 and in 2024 under the ousted Sheikh Hasina government.
The 127.71 million voters would elect 299 members of parliament (MPs) casting vote at 42,779 centres across the country. The election to Sherpur-3 seat has been put on hold following the death of a candidate.
For the first time, the EC has paved the way for casting vote by non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) and people staying away from their respected polling centres due to election duty and for other reasons. Prisoners are also eligible for exercising their "fundamental right".
A total of 1.528 million ballots were posted to the NRBs and those eligible voters to cast their vote to choose candidates and give opinion on the uprising-mandated reforms through the referendum meant for constitutional changes.
Voters are now ready to choose their representatives Thursday as thousands of people also left Dhaka in last two days for their native homes for voting. The voters will choose their representatives from among a total 2,028 candidates in the race from 50 political parties across the constituencies.
Voters will be handed two separate ballots--white ballot for parliament vote for electing 300 MPs and a pink ballot for referendum for "Yes/No" vote on the July National Charter, a comprehensive reform package designed to prevent the return of one-party dominance.
They would choose "yes" or "no" options in the referendum aimed at paving the way for a major overhaul in democratic institutions like parliament and electoral system.
The EC has already sent all the poll materials, including ballots and ballot boxes, to the 42,779 centres for holding a "free and fair election".
On demand from the EC, the government would deploy nearly 1.0 million security personnel from various agencies across the country to maintain law and order for a smooth conduct of the polls on February 12.
In addition, 1,051 executive magistrates have been mobilised and will remain in the field until February 14 to oversee law and order and electoral compliance.
The personnel include members of the army, navy, air force, police, BGB, Rab, Ansar and VDP, coast guard and other auxiliary forces.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police has identified around 24,000 polling centres fraught with high or medium risks for the 13th Parliamentary Election, roughly half of the total 42,779 centres, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam said Tuesday.
Police initially categorised 8,770 centres as high-risk, about 16,000 as medium-risk, and roughly 16,000 as general-risk, noting that the exercise was not definitive.
The IGP also outlines a three-tier security plan, with static forces deployed at every polling centre, mobile patrol teams outside, and striking units on standby to respond to emergencies.
A total of 157,805 police personnel will be on election-security duty. Of these, 93,391 will be stationed at polling centres, with the remainder serving in mobile and striking units.
An additional 29,798 personnel from police stations and other units will provide election-related support, bringing the total deployment to 187,603, he added.
According to the police chief, technology will play a key role as 80-90 per cent of polling centres have come under CCTV cameras.
Body cameras will be used at risk-prone centres, while superintendents of police will operate drones where available, depending on "capacity and necessity," the IGP said in reassuring a security bulwark for voting.
Analysts say it is not only the 43.30 million young (aged between 18 and 33 years) voters, 62.88 million women voters, nearly half the total, would also be a factor in the election.
Among the total 127.7 million voters, 10 million have been entered into the voting list in recent years who are also a factor in electing the candidates in the new Bangladesh, where these Gen-Zs would be a big factor.
Analysts say since the young voters and the women would be the influential factors in electing MPs, the political parties have pledged to create employment and establish women-friendly environment in workplaces.
The key political parties vying for the election -the Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam, and the National Citizen Party (NCP)--have announced their election manifestos that tried for attracting the young.
