Dispute Over Eligibility of Dual Citizens and Candidate Selection Precedes National Election in Bangladesh

The upcoming national election in Bangladesh, scheduled for 12 February 2026, has entered a period of heightened political tension following a dispute over the eligibility of candidates holding dual citizenship. The Bangladesh Election Commission (hereinafter: BEC) concluded a nine-day appeal process on 18 January 2026, during which it reviewed the nomination papers of 25 candidates accused of maintaining foreign citizenship.

Eligibility Disputes and the National Election in Bangladesh

The BEC upheld the candidacy of 23 individuals while cancelling the nominations of two others following the review. According to Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin, the decisions were intended to ensure broad participation from all political sides. However, the rulings have drawn criticism from multiple political factions.

The National Citizen Party (hereinafter: NCP) accused the BEC of bias and acting under pressure from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (hereinafter: BNP). NCP Convener Nahid Islam stated that allowing candidates to run based on affidavits rather than completed renunciations of foreign citizenship constitutes a “flawed interpretation of the law”. Under Article 66(2) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, individuals are disqualified from the Jatiya Sangsad if they acquire the citizenship of a foreign state.

Conversely, student activists from the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the BNP, held protests outside the BEC headquarters demanding that candidates with dual citizenship be allowed to contest. The BEC maintained that its decisions were consistent with its legal position to facilitate an inclusive electoral process.

Youth Demographic and Voter Registration

Approximately 127 million citizens are registered for the national election in Bangladesh. Data from the Election Commission indicates that nearly 56 million voters are between the ages of 18 and 37, representing approximately 44 percent of the electorate.

• This demographic was a primary driver in the July 2024 uprising that resulted in the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
• Many of these citizens will be participating in a competitive election for the first time, as the 2014, 2018 and 2024 polls were marked by boycotts or allegations of irregularity.
• Analysts suggest that young voters are increasingly prioritising issues such as unemployment and institutional transparency over traditional party ideologies.
• The overall youth unemployment rate in the nation stood at 4,48 percent in 2024.

Return of Tarique Rahman and Party Strategies

The return of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to Dhaka on 25 December 2025, after 17 years in self-imposed exile, has influenced the political landscape. According to source reports from the BNP, Rahman completed his voter registration formalities shortly after his arrival and has since begun reorganising the party from the grassroots level.

Rahman has outlined a 31-point reform platform focusing on healthcare, education and climate resilience. He has also stated that the party has taken disciplinary actions against over 7.000 members for misconduct to restore public trust before the February 12 vote. The BNP remains a supporter of the current first-past-the-post electoral system, while smaller parties like the NCP and Jamaat-e-Islami have advocated for a transition to proportional representation.

Concluding Outlook

The likely development for the national election in Bangladesh points toward a highly contested vote on 12 February 2026, conducted under the administration of the interim government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The outcome will likely depend on the participation and alignment of the 56 million young voters who currently hold the balance of power in the reshaped political field. While legal challenges regarding dual citizenship may continue in the judiciary, the BEC appears committed to its current candidate list to maintain the election schedule. Institutional stability will remain the primary focus of the state as it seeks to validate its first competitive democratic process in nearly two decades.