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Campaigning Ends Ahead of Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad Election
Feb 10, 2026Campaigning for Bangladesh’s 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the accompanying referendum ended at 7:30am on Tuesday, marking the start of the mandatory 48-hour silence period ahead of voting on Thursday.
Polling will be held for the national parliamentary election as well as a referendum under the July National Charter. The final phase of the campaign comes amid heightened security, tighter administrative restrictions and new public opinion survey projections.
A survey conducted by Dhaka-based NGO Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD) forecasts a decisive lead for the BNP-led alliance, projecting around 208 parliamentary seats. The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance is estimated to secure 46 seats, while the Jatiya Party is projected to win three seats. Other parties are expected to take four seats and independents 17. The survey was based on responses from 41,500 people, which EASD says makes it the largest pre-election survey conducted so far.
With the Awami League barred from political activities and election participation by the Yunus administration, BNP- and Jamaat-backed candidates intensified efforts to attract Awami League-leaning voters, seeking to capitalise on political gaps created by ongoing legal cases and the absence of grassroots leadership.
The Election Commission has imposed strict pre-poll measures, including an 82.5-hour ban, effective from 10 February, on voters staying outside their own electoral areas, citing concerns over law and order and undue influence.
Security has been tightened nationwide, with the Bangladesh Army and other law enforcement agencies placed on special operational alert until 14 February. Around 900,000 security personnel will be deployed, and 1,051 executive magistrates assigned to operate mobile courts during the polling period.
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