DHAKA: Bangladesh’s election season began with deadly violence after unidentified gunmen on motorbikes attacked a political rally, killing one person and injuring two others — including a candidate — officials confirmed on Thursday.
According to authorities, major political parties launched their campaigns on Wednesday for the crucial general elections scheduled for February 2026. These polls will be the first since the mass uprising in 2024 that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government.
Violence erupts on first day of campaigning
The shooting occurred during a rally of the powerful Bangladesh National Party (BNP) in the port city of Chattogram, where hundreds of supporters had gathered. Police said the attackers opened fire rapidly into the crowd before escaping.
Senior BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury condemned the attack, calling it “an attempt to destabilise politics and disrupt the election”.
The BNP is widely considered the leading contender in the upcoming polls.
Police: Candidate not intended target
Police maintain that the attackers had a specific target and were not aiming at the BNP candidate.
“The miscreants shot their target and fled in a flash,” senior police official Hasib Aziz told reporters.
Despite police claims, BNP candidate Ershad Ullah was shot and injured, along with a supporter. A third person succumbed to his wounds.
Aziz urged political candidates to notify their local police stations 24 hours before any campaign event to ensure sufficient security deployment.
Nation still reeling from Hasina’s ouster
Bangladesh, a country of nearly 170 million, has been grappling with political instability since the student-led uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 after years of authoritarian rule.
Campaigning remains unofficial, as the election commission is expected to formally announce the polling date in December.
Interim government calls for calm
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate serving as chief adviser, has repeatedly reassured the public that elections will take place on schedule in February.
Following the Chattogram shooting, Yunus ordered an immediate investigation.
His office urged all political groups “to uphold calm, show restraint, and ensure that the February general election takes place in an atmosphere of peace, dignity, and fairness.”
Crackdown on looted weapons
In a separate development, Bangladesh police on Wednesday announced cash rewards for the surrender of over 1,300 firearms — including machine guns, rifles, and pistols — looted during last year’s uprising.
Authorities say recovering these weapons is essential to preventing further violence as the election season gains momentum.
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