Bangladesh was rocked by an attack at the start of their election campaigning that claimed one life and raised alarming concerns over political stability ahead of their national vote scheduled next month. Armed men on motorbikes opened fire at a political rally in Chattogram city, killing one person while injuring two more–including a candidate–officials reported.
The Financial Express +3 CNA + Arab News by +3
What happened On Wednesday evening in Chattogram’s Bayezid Bostami area as campaigning began in earnest for elections scheduled to take place February 2026, gunmen riding motorcycles approached and fired upon a rally of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), killing one person while wounding two others (including candidate Ershad Ullah of Chattogram-8 from BNP), according to law-enforcement spokespeople. BSS reported no information related to this attack.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner has stated that Ullah likely wasn’t intended to be shot, rather he believed another individual named Sarwar Babla may have been their target. (Source: Daily Star).
Political Context This attack comes at an inherently delicate time for Bangladesh, when major parties began their campaign activities for February 2026 elections–the first since major political upheaval that caused former premier Sheikh Hasina’s government to fall. Arab News provides more context.
Reports of violence during this election campaign season has already raised serious concerns. If these reports continue, voters could become disillusioned and turn away.
Security Consequences: The shooting indicates election-related violence is already present at this early stage, increasing risks of further escalation.
Political implications: A candidate being injured underscores the potential for political assassinations or targeted attacks to undermine public confidence in electoral processes.
Public perception: For voters and observers alike, this incident reinforces concerns of imbalanced campaigning tactics characterized by coercion or intimidation before an election.
Government Response
The interim government strongly condemns this attack and has demanded an immediate investigation. Authorities state that two suspected gunmen have already been taken into custody and that those attacking campaign trail have every right to peace and safety, according to The Daily Star.
Security officials emphasize the need to prevent political gatherings from becoming platforms for violence and have issued orders to maintain high vigilance levels in Chattogram and nearby areas.
Why this Matters to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has a documented history of election-related violence, ranging from small scale attacks on candidates and rallies to larger scale clashes that led to clashes and even fatalities (Wikipedia).
This latest incident compounding the possibility that the forthcoming election could be compromised by insecurity, obstructing campaigns, reducing voter turnout or prompting reprisal violence.
What to watch
Will additional violent incidents arise as campaigning intensifies?
Will the investigation lead to convictions and send a deterrent signal to would-be attackers?
How will opposition parties respond? Increasing pressure on the government for greater security or threatening boycott if conditions don’t improve?
Conclusion
A deadly shooting at the start of Chattogram’s campaign provides a warning signal about potential challenges Bangladesh may encounter during its forthcoming elections. With one person killed and another candidate wounded, this incident underscores deepening fears over political violence before February 2026. How the government responds in these difficult circumstances will matter more than any individual arrest; rather it will demonstrate whether Bangladesh can secure its democracy, its candidates, and its citizens during such a critical transitional moment.