Bangladesh Gears Up for Historic Election: Voters to Decide Nation's Future on Feb 12

• Bangladesh is set for a pivotal election on February 12, 2026, to choose a new Prime Minister following the August 2024 movement that ousted the Awami League government.
• The election introduces a dual ballot system, allowing voters to elect Parliament members and participate in a national referendum on constitutional reforms, including a two-term limit for the PM and an Ombudsman.
• Over 127.6 million voters will cast ballots at 42,761 polling centers, with 1,981 candidates vying for 300 general seats; 92,500 soldiers are deployed for security, the largest since 1971.
• The Awami League is suspended, setting up a contest between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and an 11-party alliance led by the National Citizen Party (NCP), born from the 2024 student movement.
• Key issues include inflation, unemployment, corruption, and India relations, but the election's primary focus is on establishing credibility and a stable democratic future.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh faces a critical election on February 12, 2026, aiming to establish democratic stability and public trust.