#Bangladesh: Chief Election Commissioner Announces General Elections On February 12 , 2026

Picture : @ChiefAdviserGoB/X

Bangladesh will hold the General elections on February 12, its first since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government in a violent student-led protest in August 2024.

The interim administration, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has governed the country since August 2024, after Sheikh Hasina left for India on August 5. The interim government banned the activities of the Awami League, and the Election Commission suspended the party’s registration. Unless the ban is lifted, the Awami League will be unable to contest the polls. Several of its leaders are reported to be absconding, while many others remain in jail.

According to media reports, “Voting will take place on February 12, 2026, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said in an address to the nation .

A referendum will simultaneously be held on the voting day, February 12, to elicit public opinion on a series of reform proposals of the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus-led National Consensus Commission.

The announcement came a day after the CEC met President Mohammed Shahabuddin, who assured him ‘optimum support and cooperation’ to conduct the general elections in a ‘free, fair and meaningful’ manner.

According to the election schedule, the last date for submission of nomination papers is December 29, and scrutiny of nominations will be held from December 30 to January 4. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is January 20.

The final list of candidates will be published on January 21. Election campaigns will begin on January 22 and continue until 7.30 am on February 10, Nasir said.

The last general elections were held in January 2024. Hasina won the elections marred by controversy and boycott by major parties.