First election since Hasina's coup, Awami League banned; what is the electoral process like in Bangladesh?

News Topical, Digital Desk : Nearly a year and a half after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina's government, Bangladesh is set to hold another general election. Bangladesh's Chief Election Commissioner, AMM Nasir Uddin, has announced that the elections will be held on February 12, 2026.

Bangladesh is holding its first elections since the violent student uprising. Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party will not be able to participate in these general elections. Several prominent Awami League leaders have been arrested, and the party has been barred from contesting elections and engaging in political activities.

What is the electoral process in Bangladesh?

Like India, Bangladesh holds elections every five years. Parliament has a total of 350 seats, 50 of which are reserved for women. Members of 300 seats are directly elected from single-seat constituencies through national elections for five-year terms, while 50 seats are reserved for women, selected by the ruling party or coalition. After the election results are announced, the MPs of the largest party or coalition elect their leader, who is then appointed Prime Minister.

When was the last election held?

The last general election here was held on January 7, 2024, when the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League won for the fourth time. During the 2024 elections, the Awami League won 224 seats, while independent candidates won 62. However, the student movement that began in June-July escalated in August. As the student movement turned violent and under pressure from the military, Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister on August 5, 2024, leaving Dhaka for India that same day. She has remained there since.

Bangladesh is going to hold its first elections since Sheikh Hasina's resignation and the student uprising. However, Sheikh Hasina's party will not be able to participate. However, questions are being raised about the fairness of the elections, as the Awami League still enjoys considerable public support.

Competition between whom?

Candidates wishing to contest the parliamentary elections in Bangladesh must file their nomination papers by December 29. The last date for withdrawal of candidacy is January 20. Voting will take place on February 12, 2026, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. During this period, 128 million voters will be able to cast their votes for a total of 300 seats. The main contest in Bangladesh's general elections will be between the alliance of former PM Khaleda Zia's BNP, the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami, and the agitating students' NCP party.

3 firsts in Bangladesh's general election

For the first time since independence in 1971, Bangladesh will hold parliamentary elections and a national referendum on the same day, February 12, 2026. This will also be the first election since 1971 in which Sheikh Hasina's Awami League is out of the running due to a ban. Furthermore, the referendum on the July Charter includes major reforms such as reducing executive powers, increasing the independence of the judiciary and the Election Commission, and preventing the misuse of agencies. For the first time, 30,000 expatriate Bangladeshis will also be able to vote in this election.

Read More: Another 6.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Japan, tsunami warning issued for northeastern coast