BNP kicks off first post-Sheikh Hasina election campaign amid political uncertainty
Bangladesh has officially launched its general election campaign, marking the first national vote since the 2024 public uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s long-standing, authoritarian rule. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by prime ministerial candidate Tarique Rahman, held a massive rally in Sylhet, drawing thousands of supporters waving party flags and chanting slogans in his favor.
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh last month after a 17-year exile, following the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami announced the start of its campaign in Dhaka, signaling a political comeback after years of limited activity and the release of jailed leaders.
The upcoming elections on February 12 will select 350 parliament members and are being closely watched by EU observers, who call it the “biggest democratic exercise of 2026.” Rising political tensions, security concerns, and social media misinformation make this vote particularly sensitive. Sheikh Hasina remains in India following mass protests and faces a death sentence in absentia over her crackdown on demonstrators.
