In a stark assessment of the pre-election climate, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has accused a “specific political party” of engaging in the systematic misuse of religious sentiment to manipulate the electorate. During a press conference at the party’s Gulshan electoral office on Thursday, 15 January 2026, Mahdee Amin, Advisor to the BNP Chairman and spokesperson for the Election Steering Committee, warned that the “level playing field” essential for a democratic vote is being deliberately undermined.
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Allegations of Spiritual Coercion
Mr Amin brought forward serious allegations concerning the ethical conduct of rival campaigners. He claimed that reports from the field indicate voters are being forced to swear oaths on the Holy Quran to pledge their support for a particular electoral symbol.
“This is not only a moral failure but a direct violation of the electoral code of conduct,” Amin stated. He further alleged that party operatives are conducting door-to-door visits to collect National Identity Card (NID) numbers and bKash account details, a move the BNP suspects is linked to illegal financial inducements or voter intimidation.
Ballot Design and Expatriate Concerns
For the first time in Bangladesh’s history, over 1.2 million citizens—half of whom reside abroad—are registered to vote via postal ballots. However, the BNP has identified what it calls a “tactical bias” in the physical design of these ballots.
| Issue | BNP’s Specific Complaint |
| Symbol Visibility | The ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ is placed at the bottom, making it hard to find. |
| Fold Obfuscation | The symbol is positioned where it is obscured or erased when the ballot is folded. |
| Expatriate Fraud | Viral videos show activists in Bahrain and Oman handling hundreds of ballots. |
| Dual Nationality | Candidates who renounced foreign citizenship face “unnecessary” legal hurdles. |
The party has formally requested a reprint or a layout adjustment, arguing that a four- or six-column design would easily resolve the visibility issue that currently disadvantages the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’ symbol.
Disparity in Campaign Freedom
The press conference also highlighted a perceived double standard by the Election Commission. While other parties continue to hold rallies and solicit votes openly, the Commission reportedly requested BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to postpone his personal visits to the graves of family members and martyrs of the July uprising, including Abu Sayeed.
Despite this, the BNP remains committed to its formal schedule. Mr Amin announced that Tarique Rahman will officially launch his election campaign on 22 January 2026, starting with a visit to the shrines of Hazrat Shah Jalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA) in Sylhet.
Combatting AI Disinformation
Addressing modern campaign challenges, Mr Amin clarified the digital presence of the party leadership’s family. He confirmed that Barrister Zaima Rahman holds only two verified Meta accounts (Facebook and Instagram) with blue ticks. The party’s ICT cell has already removed over 50 fraudulent accounts that were using “Deepfake” technology and AI-generated videos to mislead the public. He added that Dr Zubaida Rahman (the Chairman’s wife) has no social media accounts whatsoever.
To foster direct engagement, the BNP has launched a dedicated call centre (16543) and a “Match My Policy” platform, allowing voters to provide feedback on the party’s reform-centric “July Charter.”