Archive · 23 Jan 2026
Bangladesh Election: Islamic Parties Lead
In the upcoming Bangladesh elections, there are 1,981 candidates running for 298 seats.
Most of these candidates are men, and a lot of them have a lot of money and property.
Some even have property in other countries.
The Islamic parties, like Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP, have the most candidates.
Many candidates have been in legal trouble, and some have a lot of debt.
The average candidate is 51 years old and has a college degree.
They plan to spend a lot of money on the election.
However, there is a lot of controversy around the election.
The Awami League, which has been in power before, has been barred from running.
Their supporters say the election is not fair and that the government is letting fanatic and militant forces rise.
The government says they are committed to a free and fair election.
The election is also about a new political course with a national charter.
The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, is seen as a leading contender.
There are concerns about the country's law and order situation, and how the election will affect the region.
Islamic parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP, field the highest number of candidates in the Bangladesh general elections.
560 candidates have assets worth crores of taka, with 13 candidates having assets over Tk 100 crore.
Male candidates dominate, comprising 95.98% of the total, while female candidates are 4.02%.
530 candidates face criminal charges, and 740 have past legal proceedings.
The average candidate age is 51, with 76.42% holding undergraduate or postgraduate degrees.
- Who
- Candidates contesting the Bangladesh general elections, including Islamic parties like Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP, as well as the Awami League and its allies.
- What
- Analysis of candidates' profiles and the political context ahead of the Bangladesh general elections.
- When
- Upcoming general elections on February 12.
- Where
- Bangladesh.
- Why
- To provide transparency and insight into the candidates' backgrounds and assets, as well as the political dynamics and concerns surrounding the election.
Awami League Supporters
Interim Government and Allies
Election Legitimacy
Awami League Supporters
The election is arranged and lacks credibility due to the exclusion of the Awami League and its allies, which represent the majority of voters' preferences.
Interim Government and Allies
The interim government is committed to holding a free and fair election, and the exclusion of the Awami League is based on legal and political grounds.
Security and Minority Rights
Awami League Supporters
The interim government has failed to protect minority rights and has allowed fanatic forces to rise, leading to unprecedented violence and brutality.
Interim Government and Allies
The government is taking steps to maintain law and order, and the violence is a consequence of the political transition and will be addressed.
Foreign Policy
Awami League Supporters
The interim government is aligning with pro-Pakistani forces and militant groups, posing a regional security threat.
Interim Government and Allies
The government is pursuing a balanced foreign policy and is committed to maintaining good relations with all neighboring countries.
- Total candidates
- 1,981
- Seats contested
- 298
- First-time candidates
- 1,696
- Candidates with assets worth crores
- 560
- Male candidates
- 95.98%
- Female candidates
- 4.02%
- BNP candidates
- 285
- Jamaat-e-Islami candidates
- 243
- Candidates with criminal charges
- 530
- Candidates with past legal proceedings
- 740
- Candidates with dual citizenship
- 21 (renounced)
- Candidates with foreign income
- 31
- Candidates with assets abroad
- 17
- Candidates with assets less than Tk 1 crore
- 58.84%
- Candidates with assets over Tk 100 crore
- 13
- Average candidate age
- 51
- Candidates with undergraduate/postgraduate degrees
- 76.42%
- Candidates with bank loans
- 68.05%
- Total election expenditure
- Tk 463.7 crore (over INR 347 crore)
- Average spending per candidate
- Tk 22.5 lakh (about INR 16.85 lakh)
- Candidates with expenditures below average
- 259
- Election date
- February 12
- Interim government leader
- Muhammad Yunus
- Awami League leader
- Sheikh Hasina
- BNP leader
- Tarique Rahman