Bangladesh will hold its first national election on February 12 following the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power, announced Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin on Thursday.
Referendum on ‘July Charter’ to Be Held Simultaneously
Nasir Uddin also confirmed that a national referendum on the ‘July charter’ will take place on the same day. The charter proposes reforms to the state’s governance after Hasina’s government was ousted.
Campaigning Timeline Announced
The Chief Election Commissioner stated that election campaigning will begin on January 22 and conclude at 7:30 am on February 10.
Elections to Cover 300 Parliamentary Seats
The upcoming elections will be held for 300 parliamentary seats, according to Nasir Uddin.
BNP Emerges as Frontrunner
Currently, Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is seen as the leading contender. Sheikh Hasina’s Bangladesh Awami League (BAL) has been banned under an anti-terrorism law, a move critics call political retribution.
In August 2024, widespread protests and violent clashes forced then-Prime Minister Hasina to flee the country for safety. Since then, Bangladesh has been governed by an unelected interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, supported by the military and other groups.
