On January 28, supporters of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami became embroiled in a dispute over front-row seating at a programme in Jhenaigati upazila of Sherpur district, triggering a violent clash. At least 65 people were injured, and a Jamaat upazila secretary was killed. Police and army personnel were present at the scene but were unable to prevent the violence. Similar clashes have been reported across the country as Bangladesh heads towards national elections on February 12, the first since the dramatic ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
Bangladesh's ousted leader Hasina denounces the upcoming election from her exile in India
The 13th national election, involving nearly 127 million voters, has raised hopes of a peaceful transition from the post-Hasina interim government to an elected administration. But the pre-election violence has posed new challenges to the election process. At least 15 political leaders and activists have been killed in the 36 days since the Election Commission announced the election schedule on December 11, 2025.
Excluding Awami League from upcoming election will not bring stability to Bangladesh, says party leader in Delhi
