After 18 months of reform promises, questions mount over transparency, administrative impartiality, and whether the February 12 vote will truly reflect the people’s will.
As Bangladesh approaches its national election on February 12, 2026, the air is thick with anticipation and unease. This vote marks the first since the dramatic ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, following widespread student-led protests that reshaped the nation’s political landscape. The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, stepped in with promises of reforms to restore democratic institutions. Yet, after 18 months of governance focused on these changes, the announcement of the election date has sparked debates about whether the process truly upholds principles of credibility, transparency, neutrality, and legality.
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