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Published : 22 Jan 2026, 02:44 AM
The election drums are beating louder, but so too are the sounds of unease.
Across Bangladesh, as nearly 2,000 candidates prepare to step into the formal campaign phase, the mood is not one of confident anticipation but of cautious calculation -- shaped by violence, whispered fears and a torrent of accusations flung between rival parties.
Above it all hovers the Election Commission (EC), offering assurances that the tracks to polling day will hold, even as the sprint for democracy enters its most perilous stretch.
From Thursday, 1,972 candidates will officially begin campaigning. They include nominees from major alliances, registered political parties, and a growing field of “rebel” and independent contenders.
They received their electoral symbols on Wednesday after a long and contentious scrutiny process. By Thursday morning, they were ready to fan out across neighbourhoods and villages.
Most had already been campaigning quietly for weeks, which triggered mutual allegations of code-of-conduct violations.
Yet behind these procedural quarrels lies a deeper anxiety: whether Bangladesh can hold a free, fair and credible election in an atmosphere increasingly clouded by violence and suspicion.
A FRAGILE LAW-AND-ORDER LANDSCAPE
With barely three weeks to go before polling day, analysts say the country’s law-and-order situation, while not yet spiralling out of control, remains dangerously fragile.
Election observer Abdul Alim said that after the schedule was announced, fears had spread that the country would slide into chaos.
“After the election schedule was announced, many people had all kinds of doubts and propaganda was circulating that the situation would deteriorate badly,” he said.
“But in my view it hasn’t turned out that badly. So far it has remained under control and reasonably good. Still, there is room to improve it further.”
Those words, however, are set against a backdrop of bloodshed.
On Dec 12, the day after the election schedule was announced, gunmen opened fire on Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a prospective independent candidate, on a Dhaka street. He died a week later while undergoing treatment in Singapore.
Since then, killings and violent clashes have followed. In Raozan, Chattogram, activists from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were murdered. In Shariatpur, a bomb exploded. Elsewhere, mob violence flared.
Two weeks ago, the EC acknowledged “some concern” about the security environment. Just days before formal campaigning, BNP and Jamaat activists clashed in Mirpur, prompting accusations on both sides.
Abdul Alim warned that attempts to sabotage the election could not be ruled out.
“Those responsible for law and order must be alert. Some forces want to see whether this election can be derailed, whether chaos can be created,” he said.
“They must ensure that no one, under any circumstances, can make the situation worse. If that can be ensured, then we can still hope for a good election.”
‘VOTERS DO NOT YET FEEL SAFE’
Former Election Commission additional secretary Jesmin Tuli believes the security environment is still failing to provide voters with a sense of safety.
“Law and order has not yet reached the level that would give voters the confidence to say, ‘Yes, I can go to the polling centre without fear. No matter whom I vote for, I won’t be harmed afterwards’,” she said.
“That feeling of security has not yet been established.”
She said political parties carried a heavy responsibility.
“Political parties have the biggest role here,” she said.
“If they do not want to turn the election into chaos -- if they refrain from violence, from capturing polling centres, from blocking voters, from using AI or social media to create massive disinformation disasters -- then a great deal can be avoided.”
With nearly 800,000 members of law enforcement and 1.6–1.7 million officials expected to work under the EC, maintaining discipline will be a challenge.
“The law-and-order situation needs further improvement,” Jesmin said.
“Everyone must cooperate -- the government, political parties, candidates and polling officials -- if we truly want a good election.”
ALLEGATIONS — AND A TILTED FIELD
Bangladesh’s political culture has long been steeped in complaints of unfairness. Abdul Alim says it is sharper this time.
“This time, complaints and counter-complaints have been more intense from the very beginning. They have even reached the chief advisor,” he said.
But he warned that the EC alone cannot ensure fairness if parties do not follow the rules.
“The solution is that everyone must assist the commission, obey the law and follow the rules. Only then will the field be level. And those responsible for keeping the field level -- the magistrates -- must also play their role strictly under the law so that coexistence and fair play are maintained.”
He also said even small complaints should be investigated transparently.
“If someone makes even a small complaint, it should be investigated and the findings should be made public -- so that all stakeholders, from citizens to political parties, know what has been found.”
CANDIDATES TRADE ACCUSATIONS
At the Election Training Institute in Agargaon, BNP candidate Shafiqul Islam Khan Milton said:
“We came here in full compliance with the code of conduct. Unfortunately, a particular party has not followed it. We came with five people, but they -- Jamaat’s representatives -- brought more than 10.”
In Dhaka-15, Jamaat activists were accused of going door-to-door to collect voters’ NID and bKash details.
Milton said: “One party violated the code by sending women activists door to door. Videos showed them asking for NID and bKash numbers. These are personal data and cannot be handed to outsiders. When people questioned them, they tried to flee. Then their leaders came with 20 to 25 people and harassed those who questioned them.”
He said similar incidents occurred in Pirerbaugh and Shewrapara.
“When locals questioned them, organised Jamaat activists beat up two BNP workers. Chaos followed. I personally called police and the Army to bring the situation under control. I have urged the EC to ensure everyone can vote freely and without fear.”
JAMAAT PUSHES BACK
A delegation led by Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair collected the electoral symbol on behalf of the party’s chief.
Speaking before the returning officer, central executive council member Md Mobarak Hossain defended Jamaat and accused BNP activists of violence.
“If supporters of any candidate violate the code of conduct, it is the EC and the relevant authorities who must deal with it. Instead, leaders of another political party attacked and beat people -- already 16 of our activists are in hospital. Yet counter-complaints were lodged against us.”
He urged those responsible for law and order to remain on “maximum alert”.
“The nation is waiting for an inclusive and credible election. We leave it to you to ensure that law and order is maintained in all respects.”
Zubair also said Jamaat activists were being targeted.
“In different places, thugs are attacking us -- assaulting and harassing our leaders and activists. Yesterday, this happened in Dhaka-15. We have informed the returning officer and hope it will not happen again.”
He demanded a level playing field, the arrest of identified criminals, recovery of illegal weapons, and security for candidates.
NCP ACCUSES EC OF SILENCE
Nasiruddin Patwary, NCP chief coordinator and Dhaka-8 candidate, raised a different complaint.
He accused BNP chief Tarique Rahman of violating election laws by promising flats to Korail slum residents -- and said the EC had remained silent.
“We see that NCP Convenor Nahid Islam is given a show-cause notice. But when Tarique Rahman went around yesterday making such promises, the EC stayed silent.”
He accused the administration of double standards:
“The administration is tilting to one side. There is one rule for Tarique Rahman and another for everyone else.”
MORE COMPLAINTS TO EC
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis met the chief election commissioner.
Senior Nayeb-e-Ameer Yusuf Ashraf said: “We have given some suggestions and some complaints to ensure equal opportunities for all. We want all parties to enjoy equal rights. We want polling centres to be secure. There should be no capturing or rigging. We have demanded body-worn cameras and CCTV.”
They also raised concerns about Netrokona-1 and Faridpur-2.
“The UNO of Kamalakanda was acting on his own. A candidate from one party asked for his removal, and he was transferred. We have asked for his reinstatement. In Durgapur, the UNO is working for one side. In Faridpur, BNP supporters have threatened to kill our people,” Yusuf said.
The EC asked them to submit all complaints to the election investigation committee and promised to consider them.
‘SWIMMING WITH HANDS TIED’
Many candidates say complying with the code of conduct makes campaigning nearly impossible.
Jamaat leader Mobarak said: “After reading the code of conduct, it feels like being asked to swim with your hands and feet tied. With only 18 days of campaigning, how can you reach 400,000 to 500,000 voters?”
He questioned restrictions on microphones and posters.
Independent candidate Sohel Rana, Jatiya Party’s Shamsul Haque, and Janata Party’s Khan Shoeb Aman Ullah said they would comply but sought stronger support from law enforcement and returning officers.
NO LENIENCY ON VIOLATIONS
Returning officer Md Yunus Ali told Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-15 candidates:
“If the workers of any candidate violate the code of conduct, the responsibility will fall on the candidate. You must make your workers aware of the rules. Maintaining a healthy election environment is not only the job of security forces -- candidates must also play their part.”
Deputy Police Commissioner Jewel Rana said policing Dhaka-13 would be challenging.
“But there will be no leniency for irregularities. Police will not take sides.”
Army Major Nafisa, in charge of Dhaka-15 security, said:
“We will ensure your security. But we ask you to follow the code of conduct. Do not create ‘mobs’. Do not create disorder.”
EC: NO ONE WILL BE SPARED
The Election Commission views the stream of allegations partly as political tactics, and partly as a sign that competition is heating up.
Election Commissioner Anwarul Islam Sarker said: “We are taking all necessary steps to hold a free, fair and neutral election. If any law or regulation is violated, no candidate will be spared.”
He said field administration and police had been instructed to improve law and order everywhere and ensure no bias.
He also said a central coordination cell was monitoring the situation regularly.
GOVERNMENT STEPS IN
On Wednesday, a high-level meeting on law and order was held at the Chief Advisor’s Office.
Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus said: “Our job is to assist the EC. This is a great challenge for the nation, and we must meet it and turn this massive task into a historic achievement.”
He described the election as a series of tests: “From today until Feb 12 is the final. The EC’s instructions are the highest authority now. Everyone must work together under those directives.”
He said rival candidates were showing positive attitudes and expressed hope they would maintain them.
THE CAMPAIGNS
BNP supremo Tarique Rahman launched his campaign in Sylhet.
After a first rally on Thursday, he will return to Dhaka by road, stopping for rallies along the way.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur will begin in Dhaka-15 with door-to-door outreach before heading north.
NCP will launch via visits to the graves of legendary leaders -- Sher-e-Bangla AK Fazlul Huq, Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy, Khwaja Nazimuddin -- and Osman Hadi’s tomb, with senior leaders in attendance.
