No 'Battle Of Begums', Rise Of Jamaat: How Bangladesh Election 2026 Is Different

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 10:50 IST

For nearly three decades, Bangladeshi politics has revolved around two women: Sheikh Hasina (Awami League) and Khaleda Zia (BNP).

Bangladesh election: Bangladesh is voting today, almost close to two years after the exit of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. In many ways, this Bangladesh election is unlike the previous polls that the country has seen. From the absence of its tall women leaders to newer alliances and the rise of Jamaat, this Bangladesh election stands apart from the previous polls.

Apart from these factors, this election has also seen more incidents of violence, digital crackdowns and killings of Hindus.

What Makes This Bangladesh Election Different?

No ‘Battle Of The Begums’

Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has been banned this election. The relative absence of dominant women leaders is a major differentiating factor in this election — especially in Bangladesh’s political context, where women have historically defined the top tier of power. For nearly three decades, Bangladeshi politics has revolved around two women: Sheikh Hasina (Awami League) and Khaleda Zia (BNP).

The so-called “battle of the Begums" wasn’t just symbolic — it structured political identity, party loyalty, and voter alignment. Elections were often personalised contests between the two powerful female figures.

This time, that dynamic is visibly altered.

BNP–Jamaat’s Renewed and Coordinated Presence

In earlier elections — especially 2014 and 2018 — the opposition was either fragmented, boycotting, or severely constrained. This time, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are more visibly coordinated on the ground, even if facing legal and administrative hurdles.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s prominence in this election marks a notable shift in Bangladesh’s opposition landscape. After years of legal restrictions, organisational setbacks and leadership challenges, the party has re-emerged more visibly through coordinated mobilisation with the BNP and renewed grassroots activity. While it is not necessarily the dominant electoral force, its structured cadre network and ideological clarity have given it outsized street presence during protests and campaign build-up.

Jamaat’s re-entry into the electoral fray has sharpened ideological polarisation and intensified street-level mobilisation, something that has directly contributed to pre-poll clashes.

High Pre-Poll Violence and Street Clashes

Bangladesh has seen violence before elections in the past, but this cycle has witnessed sustained clashes in the run-up — between ruling party workers, opposition activists, and security forces. Attacks on campaign offices, arrests, and sporadic communal incidents have created an atmosphere of tension not seen at this intensity in recent years.

According to reports, between December 2025 and early February 2026, there have been more than 400 reported incidents of violence. A similar number was seen in the 2014 elections in the country, which saw over 500 incidents of both pre-poll and post-poll violence.

Minority Security Concerns

There have been renewed concerns over attacks or intimidation targeting minorities in some regions during the campaign period. Killings of Hindus just ahead of elections has amplified fears among minorities in Bangladesh. Just hours before voting, 28-year-old Ratan Sahuakar, a Hindu tea garden worker of the Champa area, was found dead. Deep wounds were visible on his body, and his hands and legs were tied. Blood was reportedly still oozing from the injuries when he was found. Ratan’s co-workers alleged that he was murdered. They said the nature of the injuries and the fact that his limbs were bound pointed to foul play.

The GenZ Factor And Digital Battle

Social media regulation, digital surveillance laws, and arrests over online speech have become central issues this time. With young voters dominating this election, the digital sphere has turned into a major battleground — something far less prominent in earlier elections.

Bangladesh has never had such a large cohort of digitally native, politically exposed, economically anxious young voters participating at once. That changes the texture of the contest.

With a generation of voters who has consumed most information from digital platforms, campus activism and viral political content are the prime factors driving this election in Bangladesh. The fact that the need for election comes after a students led protest took down the previous government speaks how this election is more about the youth.

Debate Over Election Credibility

The issue of election credibility is sharper this time. The opposition has repeatedly demanded a neutral caretaker-style mechanism to oversee polls — something scrapped in 2011. Previous elections, especially 2014 (boycotted by BNP) and 2018 (marred by rigging allegations), were heavily criticised. This time, scrutiny — both domestic and international — is even stronger, with civil society and foreign observers closely watching the process.

International Pressure and Geopolitical Attention

Bangladesh’s elections are now more geopolitically significant than before. The US visa policy targeting those undermining democratic processes, China’s strategic investments, India’s security interests, and Western emphasis on democratic standards have collectively raised the stakes. External diplomatic messaging has been unusually direct compared to earlier cycles.

News world No 'Battle Of Begums', Rise Of Jamaat: How Bangladesh Election 2026 Is Different

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