A violent start marked Bangladesh’s upcoming election season as gunmen on motorbikes opened fire at a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) rally in Chattogram, killing one person and injuring two others, including a candidate. The attack came just a day after major political parties launched their campaigns for the February 2026 polls — the first national election since the overthrow of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government last year. Police confirmed the incident, saying the gunmen fled immediately after firing into the crowd of hundreds.
BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury condemned the shooting, calling it an attempt to destabilize politics and disrupt the election process. He said the attack was a deliberate effort to create fear among voters and candidates ahead of the crucial polls. Authorities identified the injured as BNP candidate Ershad Ullah and one of his supporters, while a third man died from his wounds. Senior police officer Hasib Aziz said the shooters “targeted their victim precisely and escaped within moments,” adding that candidates must now inform police before holding campaign events for safety.
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The attack has sparked concerns about renewed political violence in Bangladesh, a nation still recovering from the unrest that toppled Hasina’s regime in 2024. Interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ordered a full investigation, urging all political actors to “show restraint and maintain peace.” He emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring a free and fair election conducted with dignity and transparency. The interim administration has been struggling to stabilize the country amid tensions between rival factions and widespread disarmament efforts following the previous year’s uprising.
In an effort to restore order, Bangladesh police recently announced cash rewards for the surrender of more than 1,300 illegal weapons, including machine guns and rifles looted during the violent upheaval. Lieutenant General Md Mainur Rahman assured the public that the army would deploy across key regions to guarantee security throughout the campaign period. He added that once the elections are completed peacefully, the armed forces would return to their barracks. “We are committed to maintaining stability and ensuring that the democratic process moves forward without fear,” Rahman stated.
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Meanwhile, political momentum continues to build as major parties finalize their candidate lists. The BNP confirmed that 80-year-old Khaleda Zia, a former three-time prime minister, will run again alongside her son Tarique Rahman. Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s largest religious party, said it has prepared a preliminary list of candidates and is in talks with other parties for potential seat-sharing arrangements. Despite the violence, political analysts believe the election will mark a turning point for Bangladesh’s fragile democracy — provided that campaigning remains peaceful and inclusive in the coming weeks.