Bangladesh Returns to Ballot Box for First Free Election in Over a Decade

Nation still healing from last year uprising as voters head to polls

Nonepaper Staff•Sunday 8 February 2026 at 6:03 am•1 min read

Bangladesh is heading back to the ballot box in what is being billed as its first free and fair election in more than a decade, though the nation wounds from last year uprising remain fresh.

The election comes after a period of political upheaval that saw widespread protests and eventually a change in government. International observers have been invited to monitor the process.

For many Bangladeshis, this election represents a chance to rebuild democratic institutions that had eroded over years of contested elections and political violence.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Bangladesh is one of the world most populous countries and a major economy in South Asia. Democratic backsliding there has regional implications.

Background

The country has experienced cycles of military and civilian rule since independence in 1971. Recent years saw increasing concerns about electoral manipulation and crackdowns on opposition.

What to Watch

Whether the election process is genuinely competitive and whether the results are accepted by all major parties will determine if this marks a genuine democratic renewal.

Sources

After the uprising, Bangladesh returns to the ballot with its wounds still open