Bangladesh election rally draws crowds in Dhaka as BNP presses its case
Supporters streamed into a playground in Dhanmondi, a central area of Dhaka, before noon for a Bangladesh Nationalist Party rally days before the national election. Vendors sold tea and snacks as volunteers handed out leaflets. Phones rose when Tarique Rahman’s convoy arrived. The Feb 12 vote will be the first since the student-led upheaval of 2024 ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule and placed the country under an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.
Crowds gather in Dhanmondi amid tight race
The BNP leader is widely seen as a front runner for prime minister. He took formal charge of the party a little over a month ago after the death of his mother, Khaleda Zia, in late December. Her funeral drew one of the largest gatherings in recent years, according to local media reports. Mr Rahman had spent nearly two decades in exile in London, remained active in party organisation, and returned home after Hasina’s ouster in 2024. He has since toured the country to rally supporters.
What’s at stake on Feb 12
The election is the first national contest under the Yunus-led interim setup. An “interim administration” is a temporary cabinet formed to manage day-to-day affairs and organise polls after a political rupture. Many Bangladeshis hope this vote will be the most competitive in more than a decade. Analysts say the result will shape reforms, civil liberties and investment sentiment. Campaigning has focused on jobs, prices and the balance between security and freedoms after a turbulent 2024.
Numbers to watch and the field of candidates
According to the Election Commission, 2,028 candidates from about 50 parties and independents are contesting seats. Voting will be held in 299 of the 300 constituencies, with one poll postponed. Turnout by first-time voters will be closely watched. Map-based guides released ahead of polling outline key battlegrounds around Dhaka and several coastal districts.
A pivotal moment for BNP and its leader
Mr Rahman’s campaign frames the vote as a reset after years of polarisation. He emerged as BNP’s de facto leader as Ms Zia’s health deteriorated, then returned to lead rallies across the capital and beyond. The party pitches a platform of political opening and economic repair. However, opponents question BNP’s readiness to govern and its ability to manage coalition pressures. International outlets have noted intense interest from business and civil society in how a new cabinet would handle reform priorities.
The Dhanmondi event captured that momentum. The scene mixed festival mood and hard politics, with chants, party colours and a tight security perimeter. Volunteers moved through the crowd with flyers and voter instructions. As evening neared, the grounds thinned and campaign vans rolled out to the next stop. Banners reminded supporters that ballots open on Thursday, Feb 12, with results to follow under the oversight of the interim administration and the Election Commission.
