Bangladesh is teetering on political faultlines with just days to go before its high-stakes general election on 12 February 2026, as escalating clashes between supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami have left scores injured and raised serious concerns over poll-time security.
In multiple incidents across constituencies such as Patuakhali’s Bauphal upazila, at least 40 people have been reported injured during rival campaign activities, with both parties attributing blame to the other for instigating violence.
Law enforcement officials have stepped in to contain disturbances, while the interim government has reiterated its commitment to a peaceful vote, even as political actors trade accusations over alleged voter intimidation and cash distribution.
This turmoil unfolds against the backdrop of a transformed political order following the fall of the Awami League, once Bangladesh’s dominant party, making this election the first competitive contest in years.
Clashes Multiply Amid Heated Campaigning
The latest bout of violence on 8 February in Chandradwip Union, Bauphal, saw rival processions by BNP and Jamaat supporters confront each other at Bhandaria Bazar, triggering skirmishes and leading to dozens of injuries.
Local health officials reported at least 26 injured, including women, with several admitted to Bauphal Upazila Health Complex and one serious case transferred to Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College for further care. The clashes reportedly began when BNP activists accused a group of Jamaat’s female campaigners of distributing money to influence voters, claims denied by Jamaat leaders who said they were conducting lawful outreach.
After renewed scuffles later in the afternoon, Jamaat supporters blocked the Barishal-Bauphal road for nearly two hours, demanding the transfer of the local police officer they alleged was biased towards BNP – an allegation that police officials denied, stating they were acting “with complete neutrality”.
Such confrontations are not isolated. Previous incidents have been recorded not only in Bauphal but also in Lalmonirhat, where clashes left at least 25 injured, and Patuakhali, where 20 people were hurt in earlier processions.
Independent news agencies have also documented violence in other districts like Kushtia, Bhola, Teknaf and Rajshahi, with campaign offices and temporary election camps vandalised in some areas, and even recorded cases of firing during rallies that harmed bystanders including children.
Electoral Violence and Security in a Polarised Landscape
Authorities have been forced to classify dozens of constituencies as “high-risk”, with police intelligence citing repeated clashes and the presence of heavyweight candidates as triggers for heightened tensions.
Reports suggest at least 57 violent incidents across 50 constituencies since the election schedule was announced in December 2025, resulting in over 250 injuries and several deaths, underscoring the fragile security environment.
Responding to the mounting unrest, interim government officials and the election commission have emphasised robust security deployment, instructing additional forces to be stationed at volatile polling centres.
Bangladesh’s Chief Election Commissioner has communicated with foreign diplomats, underscoring plans to guard freedom of expression and the right to vote while treating election violence as criminal acts irrespective of political affiliation.
Still, opposition groups and rights observers warn that persistent clashes could erode voter confidence at a moment when the nation is striving for stability and democratic legitimacy.
Political Shifts and Competing Narratives
The 2026 election comes after a dramatic upheaval in Bangladesh’s political order following mass uprisings in 2024 that ended the long rule of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and saw her party banned from the ballot.
The BNP, long a principal opposition, now contests 292 of 300 parliamentary seats and its de-facto leader Tarique Rahman has publicly rejected an offer to form a unity government with Jamaat, asserting confidence that his party will secure a decisive majority on its own.
Rahman also framed his vision around economic growth and job creation, suggesting open diplomatic engagement with both India and China without ideological alignment.
Both the BNP and Jamaat have traded accusations over who instigates violence, while local candidates defend their campaigns as legitimate outreach.
Police statements have reiterated that investigations into clashes are underway, and that security forces remain vigilant to curb disruptions. Yet, the string of altercations and allegations of vote-buying or unfair practice has cast a long shadow over the electoral process.
The Logical Indian Perspective
The unfolding events in Bangladesh are a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic processes when political passions spill into violence. Elections are meant to be a contest of ideas, not battlegrounds of fear and force. As Bangladesh prepares to elect a new government, violence and intimidation must be unequivocally rejected by all actors – political parties, law enforcement, and citizens alike.
Constructive political competition rooted in respect for the rule of law and human dignity honours the democratic right to vote and ensures that leadership reflects the will of the people, not the threat of coercion.
At The Logical Indian, we believe that meaningful dialogue, transparent processes, and institutional integrity are indispensable to democratic health. Political parties must de-escalate rhetoric, protect vulnerable communities, and commit to peaceful engagement.
As electoral authorities enhance security, civil society and voters too have key roles in fostering a climate where ballots trump battlegrounds.
