Bangladesh Sets February 12 for First National Election Since Hasina’s Ouster

Bangladesh will hold its next general election on February 12, 2026, marking the first national vote since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to flee the country amid a deadly student-led uprising last year. The announcement was made by the country’s Election Commission on Thursday. An interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has been governing the Muslim-majority South Asian nation since the unrest. However, the administration has faced growing discontent over delays in implementing promised reforms, sparking fresh protests and political divisions. A national referendum on the 'July Charter,' a state reform plan drafted in the aftermath of the 2024 uprising, will also be held on the same day. The charter proposes sweeping changes to state institutions, including curbing executive powers, strengthening judicial independence, and preventing the misuse of law enforcement agencies. Key political parties expected to contest the election include the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party, formed by student leaders after the uprising. The Awami League, led by Hasina, has been barred from participating. Key voter issues include restoring democratic rule, reviving the economy, tackling corruption, and ensuring media freedom.