Bottom Line Up Front

Bangladesh will hold its first national elections since the August 2024 ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 12, 2026, with approximately 127.7 million voters casting ballots for parliament alongside a constitutional referendum. The security environment is characterized by significant pre-election violence, with 237 incidents of political violence reported since the election schedule announcement, including at least 15 political leaders killed in the 36 days since December 11, 2025. The interim government has deployed approximately 900,000 security personnel, including over 100,000 military forces, from February 8-14. Organizations with personnel in Bangladesh should implement restricted movement protocols on election day and the immediate 48-72 hour post-election period, maintain enhanced communication check-ins, and prepare contingency plans for potential civil unrest or localized violence particularly in Dhaka and contested constituencies.

Risk Level: HIGH | Recommended Posture: Essential operations only; defer non-critical travel until February 16; restrict staff movement on February 12 and maintain shelter-in-place protocols during polling hours.

Situation Overview

Bangladesh approaches this election following 18 months of political turbulence since the student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government in August 2024. A UN Human Rights Office report estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed during the crackdown on protests, with findings suggesting potential crimes against humanity. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has overseen the transition, though the period has been marked by continued instability, including the December 2025 killing of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, which triggered widespread violence and attacks on media outlets.