Archive · 14 Jan 2026
Bangladesh's 2026 elections: Hindus face difficult choices
In Bangladesh, there's an upcoming election on February 12, 2026.
Hindus, who make up about 8% of the population, are having a tough time deciding who to vote for.
The party they usually support, the Bangladesh Awami League, is not allowed to participate.
This leaves them with two main choices: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) or the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party.
Both parties have been linked to violence against Hindus in the past.
There's also been a rise in attacks on Hindus, making the election even more stressful for them.
Some Hindus are even thinking about leaving the country because they feel unsafe.
The situation is quite complicated, and many Hindus are worried about their future in Bangladesh.
Bangladeshi Hindus face a difficult choice in the upcoming 2026 elections as their preferred party, the Bangladesh Awami League, is banned.
The main options are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, both with histories of violence against Hindus.
There has been a rise in communal violence against Hindus, with 11 Hindus killed in attacks in the 35 days leading up to January 5, 2024.
Both the BNP and Jamaat have fielded Hindu candidates, but their gestures are seen as mere lip service to minority concerns.
Many Hindus feel unsafe and are considering leaving the country due to the intimidating atmosphere and rise in violence.
- Who
- Bangladeshi Hindus and political parties
- What
- Challenges faced by Hindus in the upcoming elections
- When
- February 12, 2026
- Where
- Bangladesh
- Why
- Ban on the Bangladesh Awami League and rise in communal violence
- Election Date
- February 12, 2026
- Hindu Population
- 7.95% of Bangladesh's population
- Major Political Parties
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
- Banned Party
- Bangladesh Awami League
- Hindu Candidates
- 3 out of 300 seats (0.67%)
- Recent Violence
- 11 Hindus killed in communal attacks in 35 days until January 5, 2024
Sources
UK MPs warn Bangladesh’s Feb 2026 polls cannot be democratic without participation of all parties
'Flood Of Misinformation:' Yunus Flags 'Fake News' Concerns Ahead Of Bangladesh Elections, Seeks UN Human Rights Support
