Alert+

Bangladesh Elections Held Amid High Violence Risk

Heightened Security and Unrest Risk in Bangladesh

SITUATION SUMMARY | Intelligence cut off: 15:00 GMT 09 FEBRUARY 2026

On 12 February, Bangladesh is holding general elections and a constitutional referendum. The vote is the first since the 2024 July Revolution, which toppled the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The elections are being contested by thousands of candidates at both the local and national levels. Around 127 million people are eligible to vote at the 42,761 polling centres distributed nationwide.

Bangladesh is currently undergoing a period of severe instability, marked by protracted street clashes and mob violence, often along political, religious, or ethnic lines, which has caused hundreds of deaths since the July Revolution.

Due to the extent of the security risks associated with the vote, the interim government has pledged to deploy extraordinary security measures, including redirecting military and border police personnel to law enforcement duties coinciding with the vote. On 8 February, the Election Commission (EC) declared that around 971,000 security personnel will be deployed as part of this programme, “for seven days [after] the polls”, at least.

Authorities have also claimed that, starting two days before the vote, between 16 and 18 security personnel will be deployed at each polling station, with higher manpower devoted to “vulnerable” areas. Moreover, the EC has announced that only selected officials will be able to enter “within a 400-yard radius” of the polling stations with mobile phones.

Other notable restrictions imposed during the voting period include a daily cap (BDT 10,000), announced by the Bangladesh Bank (BB) on person-to-person internet banking transactions, which will be in place until 23:59 (local time) on 12 February. This was justified by authorities as an anti-corruption measure.

INTELLIGENCE ANALYSIS

High Likelihood of Election-Day Political Violence in Bangladesh

There is a high likelihood of political violence on election day, and in the days immediately before and after the vote. There have already been high levels of violence, with clashes between supporters of the two major parties – the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami – in the final days of the electoral campaign. Furthermore, several party leaders have warned that their opponents are planning to commit electoral fraud, allegations that have been further “validated” by a spike in online disinformation.

Some party leaders have also asked their supporters to act as de facto vigilantes, going to voting stations to “monitor” that no fraud takes place. Following the mobile phone ban, local media reported that multiple parties have threatened to “besiege” the EC, claiming that the measure is unwarranted and unjust. It is highly likely that both domestic and international actors will increase the volume of fraud claims on election day and during the vote-counting process.

On 12 February, there is a high likelihood of unrest near polling centres, local and national party offices, and government structures, as supporters of opposing parties could engage in confrontations while “monitoring” the vote. The harassment of voters (particularly those from religious and ethnic minorities) and journalists near polling stations cannot be ruled out. There is a realistic possibility that the authorities will impose internet blackouts in response to unrest or violence, limiting situational awareness on the ground.

Foreign nationals or assets are likely to be at an increased risk of violence. Embassies and other diplomatic offices will likely have a heightened risk of being targeted during the voting period and following the vote. This is due to repeated and widespread allegations of foreign attempts to meddle in the elections.

Travel and Safety Guidance for Bangladesh

Avoid all major government buildings, polling stations, military barracks, universities, and police facilities.
Reassess travel to large Bangladeshi urban areas on election day and in the days immediately following the vote.
If already in-country, minimise travel to city centres.
If travel is necessary, allocate additional time for all road movements.
Plan for internet and communications disruptions; ensure you have emergency contacts saved on your phone and plan any potential travel routes. Emergency contacts should include the local authorities, medical facilities, and any consular support.
Consider using a virtual private network (VPN) to mitigate the impact of internet geo-blocking.
Ensure that mobile phones and other electronic devices are charged in case of any loss of electricity.
Avoid displaying national, political, or religious symbols.
Closely monitor announcements from local authorities and media sources for any developments that may severely impact the local security environment.
Avoid all areas of potential unrest due to incidental risks to bystanders. If caught in unrest, travellers should move with the crowd until they find the nearest opportunity to escape.
Always follow all instructions and orders from security forces. Where possible, avoid areas of active unrest and remain in a secure accommodation.
Prolonged civil unrest can disrupt travel, especially if protesters begin targeting airports. Travellers should have contingency measures in place, including evacuation plans and reliable access to food, water, and medication.
If caught in the vicinity of a security incident, seek shelter immediately and leave the area if safe to do so. Continue to adhere to all instructions issued by authorities and obey any security cordons in place.
If available, monitor your intelligence provider’s alerting platform and trusted local media for updates relevant to the unrest.

Request Evacuation Assistance

If you need secure, coordinated support to move personnel out of a high-risk location, our team is ready to help – quickly, calmly, and with care.