Bangladesh’s already tense election campaign descended into violence late Friday night after BNP activists accused Jamaat-e-Islami of distributing cash at a political gathering. What began as a protest quickly escalated into street clashes, leaving more than 40 people injured, including women.
The incident comes just days before voters head to the polls on February 12, in an election expected to reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape following the August 2024 uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina’s long rule. With over 127 million voters eligible and the Awami League barred from contesting, analysts warn that continued violence could undermine confidence in what many hope will be the country’s first truly competitive election in years.
