In Bangladesh, after the 2024 public uprising against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the election campaign for the first national elections in the country begans.

Before the elections to be held on 12 February, the country’s major political parties held election rallies in various cities, including the capital, Dhaka.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) central leader Tarique Rahman began his election campaign by addressing thousands of supporters in the northeastern city of Sylhet, while in the coming days, he will also visit other districts.

During his address in Sylhet, he accused Jamaat-e-Islami of using religious sentiments to obtain votes. Tarique Rahman said that if he is elected, he will protect national sovereignty and work for women and youth.

Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party have also started their election campaigns in the capital, Dhaka. National Citizen Party leader Nasiruddin Patori said that terrorism, crimes, extortion, and corruption exist; our struggle is against them so that a just Bangladesh can be established and a safe Dhaka can be made for women and children.

General elections are scheduled in Bangladesh for 12 February, in which 350 members of parliament will be elected. According to European Union observers, this process could be the largest democratic event up to 2026.

These elections are being described as the most important elections in the history of Bangladesh, because they are being held under an interim government after the removal of Sheikh Hasina, while voters will also give their opinion on proposed political reforms.

The head of Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has expressed commitment to holding free and fair elections in the country; however, questions are also being raised after his government imposed a ban on Sheikh Hasina’s former ruling party, the Awami League. The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have long dominated the country’s politics.

Concerns are also being expressed about the law and order situation in the country; however, the interim government says that the voting process will be kept peaceful.

Muhammad Yunus assumed responsibilities of the interim government on 5 August 2024, three days after Sheikh Hasina departed for India following the unrest and crackdown in which hundreds were killed earlier that year.

It should be noted that Sheikh Hasina is currently in hiding in India, and in November, she was sentenced to death in absentia on charges of a crackdown against protesters.