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Published : 09 Feb 2026, 12:09 AM
On Mirpur’s 60-Feet Road, a rickshaw moves along with a loudspeaker blaring the tune “Vote Diben Kishe, Dhaaner Shishe”. A small pickup van follows, playing “Daripallay Debo Re Vote, Daripallay Debo”.
Across Dhaka, similar campaign songs have become an inseparable part of the lead-up to the elections, blending manifestos, candidate introductions, and catchy tunes to draw voter attention.
In studios across Moghbazar, Banani, and Niketan, directors and musicians have been working non-stop to record these songs.
While the total number of tracks produced is unknown, studio insiders estimate that a single candidate may have 20-30 songs.
Production costs for these tracks and accompanying music videos range from Tk 2,000 to Tk 50,000.
Most songs reuse familiar tunes rather than original compositions. Tracks from popular Bengali films such as “Ammajan” and “Lage Uradhura” have been adapted with new lyrics for election campaigning.
BNP’S THEME SONG
The BNP’s official campaign song “Vote Diben Kishe, Dhaaner Shishe” celebrates the beauty and harmony of Bangladesh while featuring the party’s founder former president Ziaur Rahman, former prime minister and party chairperson Khaleda Zia, and current Chairman Tarique Rahman in the music video, making their “nation-building pledge”.
The video has been shared by Tarique on social media and is also available on the BNP’s official Facebook and YouTube platforms.
Sung by Atiya Anisha and Niloy, with music composed by Asgar Hossain Rabby, the song combines patriotic tones with rock fusion.
Rabby drew inspiration from a line in Humayun Ahmed’s drama “Ure Jay Bokpokkhi”, explaining to bdnews24.com: “The dialogue ‘Vote Diba Kishe?’ inspired me to write this song for the Sheaf of Paddy campaign.”
OTHER PARTIES JOIN IN CHORUS
Jamaat-e-Islami supporters are using songs promoting their Weighing Scale symbol, though the party has not officially produced any songs itself.
Volunteers and activists have independently created tracks centred on the theme of “justice”.
The National Citizens Party (NCP), formed by young leaders of the July Uprising, is using songs like “NCP-re Boron Koro Shapla Kolir Malay” and “Hya Bolo” to promote the vision of a “new Bangladesh” through references to their electoral symbol.
REWRITING OLD TUNES
Other candidates are also adapting popular melodies for local campaigns, substituting lyrics to highlight their own platforms.
Studio professionals are working through sleepless nights to produce these tracks.
Aside from recording, some campaign songs are also being generated using AI.
At one North Dhaka studio, insiders reported producing around 200 election songs this season, 30 of which were AI-generated.
COSTS AND COPYRIGHT
The creation of campaign songs can cost anywhere from Tk 2,000 for simple tracks to Tk 50,000 for full music videos.
Much of the work involves adapting existing popular songs with new lyrics.
While copyright law prohibits the use of music without permission under Section 69 of the Copyright Act 2023, officials say no complaints have yet been filed over election songs.
A copyright office employee told bdnews24.com, “Numerous songs have been produced nationwide for election campaigns. The office does not have the capacity or sufficient staff to verify all of them. If a complaint is filed, the copyright office will investigate that particular case.”
Asked whether any complaints have been received in connection with copyright violations, the employee said: “For new songs, many apply for copyright registration. However, none of the election-focused songs produced this season have had copyright registration applications, nor have any complaints of copyright infringement been reported.”
