According to the schedule announced by the Election Commission (EC), the 13th National Parliamentary Election will be held on 12 February 2026. After the announcement of the election schedule, authority over the administration and law enforcement agencies is handed over to the EC. It is expected that the ruling government whether caretaker or interim—will refrain from taking any policy decisions beyond routine affairs during this period.
Bangladesh introduced the caretaker government system in 1996 through a constitutional amendment following mass movements demanding free, fair, and credible elections. Elections held in 1996 and 2001 under this system were largely acceptable. However, controversies surrounding the 2006 caretaker government led to political instability and the formation of a military-backed interim government, which eventually facilitated the 2008 election in a manner that helped the Awami League return to power. After assuming office in 2009, the Awami League abolished the caretaker system within a year, triggering a prolonged political crisis and dismantling the neutral electoral framework.
During Sheikh Hasina’s rule, state institutions were politicized, democratic norms eroded, and authoritarian family rule entrenched. This led to the mass anti-fascist uprising of July–August 2024. Following the fall of the Hasina government, an interim government headed by Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus was formed with three key objectives: ensuring justice for killings and repression during the uprising, reforming state institutions, and holding a national election.
The interim government has initiated trials for crimes against humanity, established multiple reform commissions, adopted the July National Charter 2025 through political consensus, and issued the Constitution Reform Ordinance 2025. A referendum will be held alongside the national election.
A neutral Election Commission has been formed and has completed key preparations, including updating the voter list, cancelling EVMs, revising electoral laws, redrawing constituencies, and registering political parties. Ensuring a level playing field, maintaining law and order, guaranteeing candidate security, especially after the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi and maintaining media neutrality remain major challenges.
If neutrality, security, and fairness are ensured, Bangladesh may yet witness a transparent and credible election.
