3 days to poll, Bangladesh streets turn violent; 40 injured in BNP-Jamaat clash

With just 72 hours to go before Bangladesh votes in a high-stakes general election, fresh violence has erupted, underlining the volatility of the campaign in a country undergoing its most dramatic political shift in decades.

More than 40 people, including women, were injured late last night in clashes between workers of the Bangladesh ist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, after accusations of cash distribution at a Jamaat programme spiralled into street violence. The incident comes days before polling on February 12 and hours before campaigning is set to end on February 10 at 7.30 am.

MIDNIGHT CLASH OVER CASH DISTRIBUTION ALLEGATIONS

The violence broke out after BNP workers accused Jamaat-e-Islami of distributing money to attendees at a late-night programme. According to accounts from the scene, BNP activists reached the venue to lodge a protest, following which Jamaat mobilised its own supporters.

What followed was a fierce confrontation that continued into the night, leaving over 40 people injured. This is being described as the most violent episode of the ongoing election campaign between the two rival camps.

Over the past six weeks, more than five people have been injured in election-related violence across Bangladesh, signalling a steady escalation as polling day approaches.

BIPOLAR CONTEST AHEAD OF FEBRUARY 12 VOTE

The February 12 general election is widely seen as a bipolar contest between the BNP and a coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami. More than 127 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in what analysts describe as the most consequential election since 2009.

The vote follows the August 2024 mass uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule and led to the banning of the Awami League from contesting. Many voters say the upcoming polls will be the first genuinely competitive election in over a decade.

BNP chief Tarique Rahman told Reuters his party, contesting 292 of the 300 parliamentary seats, was confident of securing “enough to form a government”.

INTERIM GOVERNMENT PROMISES PEACEFUL POLLS

Interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus had pitched the election and the accompanying referendum on reforms as a “grand festival”, promising it will be the most free, fair and peaceful vote in the country’s history and a foundation for what he called a “new Bangladesh”.

Analysts, however, warn that continued violence could undermine confidence in the process at a time when political roles have sharply reversed, with opposition parties now dominating street campaigning after years of repression under the previous regime.

HIGH STAKES AT HOME AND ABROAD

The election outcome is expected to shape Bangladesh’s economic recovery after months of unrest that disrupted key industries, including garments, and pushed the country to seek large-scale external financing from institutions such as the Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

It will also recalibrate regional geopolitics. China’s influence has grown since Hasina, seen as close to India, fled to New Delhi. While the BNP is viewed by some analysts as relatively more aligned with India, a Jamaat-led government could tilt closer to Pakistan. Jamaat, however, has said it is “not inclined towards any country”.

“Opinion polls suggest the BNP has an edge, but a significant portion of voters are still undecided,” said Parvez Karim Abbasi of Dhaka’s Centre for Governance Studies. “How Generation Z votes will carry considerable weight.”

VOTERS LOOK TO RECLAIM THEIR VOICE

For many first-time voters, the election represents a chance to reclaim political space long denied.

“People couldn’t even vote during national elections. People had no voice,” said Mohammad Rakib, 21, as quoted by Reuters. “I hope the next government, whoever comes into power, will ensure this freedom of expression.”

As campaigning enters its final hours, the latest violence has sharpened concerns over security, even as Bangladesh braces for a verdict that could redefine its politics, economy and foreign ties for years to come.

- Ends