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Published : 15 Feb 2026, 11:34 PM
Election observers have reported that voters with disabilities faced significant barriers in exercising their rights during the Feb 12 national election and referendum.
Civil society groups said minorities feared violence before polling day, though the atmosphere was relatively calm and positive at most centres.
Still, some minority voters encountered resistance.
Representatives of four organisations presented their preliminary observations at a joint press conference at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday.
Observers noted that female candidates were subjected to coordinated online attacks during campaigning, with little intervention from authorities.
While the overall process was described as peaceful and orderly, post poll violence has intensified, raising concern.
Disability rights group Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B Scan), which deployed 100 observers with disabilities across eight constituencies, found poor accessibility at most centres, with inadequate ramps, upper floor polling booths, and no facilities for visually or hearing impaired voters.
Privacy was compromised in some cases, with officials casting ballots on behalf of neuro developmental voters with disabilities.
B Scan recommended postal ballots for voters with disabilities, mandatory ground floor polling booths, inclusion of disability provisions in electoral law, and improved training for election officials.
Minority rights group Rupsa Bangladesh said it observed 25 constituencies across six divisions, finding that while polling day was largely peaceful, some minority voters did not receive assistance at centres.
In 4.2 percent of centres, officials’ behaviour was not friendly, while in 15.8 percent of centres some voters were denied ballots despite being inside the boundary, it said.
Women’s rights organisation ARSI Charitable Trust said female candidates faced coordinated online attacks, with posts and pages reported to force removal.
Only seven of 85 female candidates won seats.
The group urged stronger enforcement of cyber laws and new legislation against online gender based violence.
Rights group Odhikar, supported by the EU, documented 61 incidents of violence in 18 districts between Jan 18 and Feb 11, including clashes and property damage.
On election day alone, 45 incidents were recorded across 22 constituencies.
Post poll violence has intensified, leaving three people dead, including a child, and more than 100 injured.
Observers said that while the overall process was peaceful and orderly, violence remains a major concern, with some monitors facing obstruction during their duties.
