Recent Violent Outbursts
The period between December 2025 and February 2026 has been particularly grim, with over 411 election-related violent incidents recorded nationwide. Clashes
between supporters of rival parties, disruptions to campaigning, and attacks on election infrastructure have become commonplace. For instance, just before polling in early February 2026, at least five schools in Netrokona district, serving as polling centers, were set ablaze. The immediate pre-election days also witnessed significant confrontations. A notable clash between Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami workers in the capital injured more than 40 individuals, reportedly sparked by accusations of vote-buying. Separately, in Bhola Sadar on February 7, supporters of Islami Andolan Bangladesh and Jamaat-e-Islami engaged in clashes, resulting in seven injuries. Similar street fights during campaigning in Doulatkhan Upazila on February 3 and a confrontation in Borhanuddin Upazila on February 1 each left multiple people injured, highlighting the pervasive nature of electoral unrest.
Minority Safety Concerns
As election day approaches, a disturbing trend of attacks targeting religious minorities, particularly Hindus, has intensified. These incidents range from intimidation to outright violence, fueling fears within community leadership about targeted assaults. Tragically, a Hindu rice trader, Sushen Chandra Sarkar, was fatally stabbed in his Mymensingh shop just 48 hours before the national election, amplifying concerns for minority safety amidst the escalating campaign violence. Earlier in the month, another Hindu businessman met a similar fate in Mymensingh. Furthermore, the brutal killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu garment worker in Gazipur in December 2025, after being accused of blasphemy, and subsequent mob violence and public desecration of his body, sent shockwaves through the Hindu community, underscoring their vulnerability during this volatile period.
Historical Election Violence
Pre-election violence, encompassing clashes, intimidation, killings, and campaign disruptions, is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh; it has been a recurring feature since the country gained independence in 1971. Human rights organizations and academic research consistently point out that nearly every national parliamentary election has been accompanied by incidents of violence before, during, or after voting. The early 1990s saw numerous party conflicts leading to dozens of fatalities and injuries. The June 1996 election was particularly turbulent, with widespread unrest and approximately 20 reported deaths in the run-up to the polls. The 2001 elections and their aftermath stand out as one of the most violent periods, with over 120 deaths during the campaign and thousands injured, coupled with post-election attacks and intimidation of minorities and opposition supporters.
Controversial Polls of the Past
The electoral history of Bangladesh is punctuated by several highly controversial and violent elections. The 2014 election is widely remembered as one of the most contentious, marked by a boycott from the main opposition BNP and dozens of fatalities both on voting day and in the preceding period. Many constituencies went uncontested, and over 150 voting centers were destroyed by fire. Leading up to the December 30, 2018 general election, numerous violent incidents occurred, including assaults on opposition candidates and supporters of the BNP and its allies, with many activists reportedly injured, arrested, or prevented from campaigning. This cycle was also characterized by reported intimidation and arrests of opposition figures, reflecting a pattern of political suppression.
Deep-Rooted Polarization
Much of the persistent violence surrounding Bangladesh's elections can be attributed to profound political polarization, predominantly between major parties like the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League historically. This deep ideological divide fuels intense competition and often devolves into confrontation. The current electoral landscape, with the inclusion of new alliances such as the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, is perceived as even more polarized and violent than previous elections. This dynamic exacerbates tensions, making peaceful electoral processes a significant challenge and contributing to the cyclical nature of unrest that has defined the nation's political history since its inception.
