7 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

International RelationsPolity & GovernanceNEWS

Violence threatens Bangladesh elections amid political unrest and casualties

Bangladesh elections marred by violence, raising concerns over peaceful transition of power.

Bangladesh is preparing for national elections amidst escalating violence, with clashes between political parties resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities. The upcoming election, involving approximately 127 million voters, aims for a peaceful transition from the interim government to an elected administration. However, the violence has dampened expectations, particularly among first-time voters.

Human rights organizations report alarming levels of political violence, with hundreds killed and thousands injured in recent months. Accusations are being traded between parties, and independent candidates have also been targeted. The Election Commission's perceived inaction has further fueled concerns.

Protests unrelated to the elections are also adding to the volatility.

Key Facts

The 13th national election in Bangladesh involves nearly 127 million voters.

At least 15 political leaders and activists have been killed in the 36 days since the election schedule was announced.

Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reports at least 195 people killed and 11,229 injured in political violence over the past 17 months.

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) warns that the risk of violence could extend beyond polling day.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper 2: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations

Connects to the syllabus through the topics of elections, electoral reforms, and the role of international organizations

Potential question types include statement-based questions on the functions of the Election Commission, analytical questions on the challenges to free and fair elections, and questions on the role of international observers

Visual Insights

Bangladesh Election Unrest Locations

Map showing Bangladesh with markers indicating areas affected by election violence.

Loading interactive map...

📍Bangladesh

More Information

Background

Elections are a cornerstone of democratic governance, ensuring representation and accountability. The process of holding free and fair elections is often governed by an Election Commission, an independent body tasked with overseeing the electoral process. The concept of an independent election body is rooted in the need to prevent manipulation and ensure impartiality. Historically, the evolution of electoral systems has varied across countries. In many nations, the struggle for universal suffrage and fair representation has been a long and arduous process. Key milestones often include the expansion of voting rights to marginalized groups and the implementation of reforms to prevent electoral fraud. These reforms are often enshrined in a country's Constitution or electoral laws. In the context of South Asia, elections have often been marred by violence and allegations of irregularities. The role of international observers and human rights organizations becomes crucial in monitoring the electoral process and ensuring adherence to democratic norms. The presence of independent observers can help to deter electoral malpractices and provide a degree of transparency to the process. The concept of free and fair elections is fundamental to the legitimacy of any democratic government.

Latest Developments

Recent trends in electoral processes globally include the increasing use of technology, such as electronic voting machines and online voter registration. However, these advancements also bring new challenges, such as cybersecurity threats and concerns about data privacy. The role of social media in shaping public opinion and influencing electoral outcomes has also become increasingly significant. In many countries, there is ongoing debate about electoral reforms, such as proportional representation and ranked-choice voting. These reforms aim to address issues such as political polarization and the under-representation of certain groups. The effectiveness of these reforms often depends on the specific context and the political will to implement them. Looking ahead, the focus is on strengthening electoral institutions and promoting greater citizen participation in the democratic process. This includes initiatives such as voter education programs and efforts to combat disinformation. The ultimate goal is to ensure that elections are free, fair, and credible, and that the outcome reflects the will of the people. The role of international organizations in monitoring elections is also crucial.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key facts about the Bangladesh elections that are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?

For the UPSC Prelims, remember these key facts: The upcoming national election involves approximately 127 million voters. Since the election schedule was announced, at least 15 political leaders and activists have been killed. Political violence in the past 17 months has resulted in at least 195 deaths.

Exam Tip

Focus on remembering the numbers related to voters, casualties, and the timeframe of the violence. These are easily testable in objective-type questions.

2. Why are the upcoming elections in Bangladesh in the news recently?

The Bangladesh elections are in the news due to escalating violence and political unrest surrounding the electoral process. This raises concerns about a peaceful transition of power and the fairness of the elections.

Exam Tip

Be aware of the context of political violence and its impact on the electoral process. This is crucial for understanding the current affairs aspect.

3. What is the role of the Election Commission in ensuring fair elections, as it relates to the situation in Bangladesh?

The Election Commission is an independent body responsible for overseeing the electoral process to prevent manipulation and ensure impartiality. In the context of Bangladesh, concerns have been raised about the Election Commission's perceived inaction in addressing the escalating violence, which has fueled further concerns about the fairness of the elections.

Exam Tip

Understand the general role of Election Commissions globally and apply it to the specific context of the Bangladesh elections. Consider the challenges they face in ensuring fair elections amidst violence.

4. How does the political violence in Bangladesh impact the common citizens, and what are the potential long-term consequences?

Political violence creates an atmosphere of fear and insecurity, disrupting daily life and hindering participation in the democratic process. Long-term consequences may include erosion of trust in institutions, increased polarization, and instability.

Exam Tip

Consider the socio-economic and political consequences of violence on citizens. Think about how this situation could affect governance and stability in the long run.

5. What are the important dates to remember related to the Bangladesh elections for the UPSC exam?

Key dates to remember are: February 12 (Date of the national elections in Bangladesh) and December 11, 2025 (Date when the Election Commission announced the election schedule).

Exam Tip

Note these dates down and revise them closer to the exam. Knowing the timeline of events is crucial for answering chronological questions.

6. What is 'political violence' in the context of elections, and why is it a concern?

Political violence refers to acts of violence intended to influence the outcome of an election, such as intimidation, attacks on candidates or voters, and disruption of polling. It is a concern because it undermines the fairness and legitimacy of the democratic process, preventing citizens from freely exercising their right to vote.

Exam Tip

Understand the different forms political violence can take and its impact on democratic processes. This understanding is crucial for answering both prelims and mains questions related to governance and international relations.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the current situation in Bangladesh: 1. The upcoming national elections involve approximately 127 million voters. 2. Human rights organizations have reported a decrease in political violence in recent months. 3. The Election Commission's perceived inaction has fueled concerns about the fairness of the elections. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The summary explicitly states that the upcoming election involves approximately 127 million voters. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The summary states that human rights organizations report alarming levels of political violence, with hundreds killed and thousands injured in recent months, indicating an increase, not a decrease. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The summary mentions that the Election Commission's perceived inaction has further fueled concerns about the fairness of the elections.

2. Which of the following is NOT a function of a typical Election Commission in a democratic country?

A.Delimitation of constituencies
B.Registration of voters
C.Conducting elections
D.Formulating economic policy

Show Answer

Answer: D

Option D is the correct answer. Formulating economic policy is typically the responsibility of the government's economic ministries or departments, not the Election Commission. The Election Commission's primary functions revolve around the electoral process, including delimitation of constituencies, registration of voters, and conducting elections.

3. Assertion (A): Violence during elections can undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process. Reason (R): A high voter turnout always ensures a free and fair election. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: C

Assertion A is TRUE: Violence can indeed undermine the legitimacy of elections by intimidating voters and disrupting the process. Reason R is FALSE: A high voter turnout does not automatically guarantee a free and fair election. Other factors such as electoral fraud, voter intimidation, and biased electoral administration can still compromise the integrity of the election, even with high turnout.