Studies

This study explores Bangladesh’s dramatically shifting political landscape since August 5, 2024, when the July Revolution and the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government gave rise to new political parties ahead of the National Parliamentary Elections on February 12, 2026. It examines how electoral campaigns are designed, implemented, and perceived in Bangladesh, investigating voters’ decision-making processes and the factors influencing their choices. The research will engage voters, political leaders, local elites, and marginalized groups, including women and youth.

Researchers: Syeda Salina Aziz; Asif M. Shahan, PhD; Raihan Ahamed; and Tahrima Binte Tarique

Partner: IDRC

Timeline: 2025–2026

Status: Ongoing

Contact: Tahrima Binte Tarique, Senior Research Associate; tahrima.tarique@bracu.ac.bd

Context

Bangladesh’s upcoming parliamentary election is a watershed moment: it is the first democratic election in over 15 years and the first in which an entire generation of young people will cast their votes. Many citizens across age groups will also be voting for the very first time. The country’s political landscape has shifted dramatically since the July Revolution of 2024, with new parties emerging ahead of the 12 February 2026 National Parliamentary Elections. Despite the historical weight of this moment, there is a significant gap in voting behaviour research in Bangladesh, making it difficult to understand how voters make decisions, what they expect from candidates, or which campaign messages resonate most.

Objective

This study aims to uncover the factors that shape voter decision-making in Bangladesh’s first democratic election in over 15 years. It seeks to understand how electoral campaigns are designed and implemented by political actors, and how these campaigns are perceived and responded to by voters from different backgrounds. The research also examines which issues and candidate characteristics most influence voting choices among diverse groups — including women, youth, local elites, and political leaders — and contributes to filling critical gaps in the country’s voting behaviour literature.

Methodology

The study employs qualitative research methodologies to capture the complexity of electoral behaviour and campaign dynamics in Bangladesh. The core methods are in-depth interviews and participant observation, conducted over two months immediately preceding the February 2026 elections. In-depth interviews engage a range of actors — including voters, political candidates, local elites, and representatives of marginalized groups such as women and first-time young voters — to surface individual perspectives on the issues driving vote choices and the messages that resonate most. Participant observation allows the research team to directly witness campaign strategies as they unfold on the ground, capturing the gap between how campaigns are designed and how they are ultimately received by voters across different constituencies.

Findings and Recommendations 

Forthcoming.