Although the members of the BNP and its allies took their oaths as members of the 13th National Parliament on Tuesday, they did not take the oath as members of the Constitution Reform Council on the same day.
With the conclusion of the thirteenth national parliamentary election on 12 February, Bangladesh is about to enter a significant and complex phase in its political journey. This election is not merely about a transfer of power or the formation of a new government; rather, it is taking place against the backdrop of prolonged political polarization, mounting economic pressure, and growing international diplomatic concerns. As a result, while public expectations of the incoming government will be immense, the challenges awaiting it will be equally formidable and structural in nature—according to political analysts.
With the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaching, major political parties are now concentrating on three key voter blocs: minorities, Awami League–aligned voters, and young voters. Since the Awami League is not participating in this election, the political alignment of its support base has become a subject of fresh calculation. Issues such as the security and confidence of minority communities, attracting Awami League supporters to their own camps, and addressing employment and future prospects for young voters are shaping the strategies of the participating parties. Political analysts believe these voter groups could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election.
The referendum scheduled to be held on 12 February, the same day as the 13th National Parliamentary Election, has sparked extensive discussion and analysis across the country’s political arena as well as in international circles. In the current political context, the importance of this referendum is multidimensional. According to political analysts, the decision by a major political force to boycott the process has turned the referendum into more than a routine vote, transforming it into a profound and multifaceted test for Bangladesh’s politics.
As the 13th National Parliamentary Election approaches, campaign activities by all participating political parties have reached a peak. Various parties have already intensified their field-level campaigns and organizational activities across the country.
The 13th National Parliamentary Election is knocking on the door. Law enforcement agencies have made maximum security preparations across the country ahead of the elections to be held on February 12. In the meantime, a joint assessment by the Special Branch (SB) of the Police, intelligence agencies and police headquarters has identified all polling centres at least 13 parliamentary constituencies in different regions of the country as 'highly risky'.