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Bangladesh Govt Tightens Grip on Elections with New Disruptive Activity Crackdown

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, December 11th 2025 at 17:46 GMT by The Daily Star

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Bangladesh’s National Polls: Government Tightens Control Over Disruptive Activities

As Bangladesh gears up for its forthcoming national elections, the ruling Awami League‑led government has announced a comprehensive crackdown on what it calls “disruptive activities” that could jeopardise the integrity and safety of the voting process. In a move aimed at curbing intimidation, violence, and the spread of misinformation, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Election Commission and various security agencies have outlined a series of measures that will be implemented across the country from the first day of campaigning to the final day of voting.

1. The Political Landscape

Bangladesh’s political arena has historically been a powder keg. The Awami League (AL), the country’s dominant party, faces stiff opposition from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies, as well as the Jatiya Party, led by former president Hussain Muhammad Ershad. In recent years, the opposition has repeatedly complained that the election environment is skewed in favour of the ruling party, citing instances of selective police action, political intimidation and restricted media coverage. These concerns were amplified after the 2018 general elections, when a handful of opposition leaders were jailed on trumped‑up charges, sparking protests and calls for international scrutiny.

The government’s new policy is framed as an attempt to address these grievances. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the crackdown will target “any person or group that seeks to disrupt the electoral process through violence, bribery, or the dissemination of false information.” Officials say that the policy is designed not to suppress legitimate political activity but to prevent the kind of chaotic scenes that have marred previous polls.

2. Key Measures to Be Introduced

a. Strengthened Police Presence

The government has pledged a massive deployment of police officers in polling units and key political hotspots. The Home Minister announced that police would be stationed at every polling station to monitor for any signs of foul play. The plan also includes the use of mobile police vans equipped with CCTV cameras that will stream live footage to a central command center for real‑time monitoring.

b. Restriction on Campaign Rallies

The Election Commission has imposed stricter limits on the size and timing of campaign rallies. While rallies are still allowed, they will now require explicit permits that must be filed at least 48 hours in advance. Organisers will be required to submit detailed itineraries and security plans. The commission also warned that any rally that crosses the allowed audience threshold will be considered “disruptive” and subject to fines or cancellation.

c. Media Monitoring and Fact‑Checking

In a bid to curb misinformation, the government has partnered with a coalition of independent media watchdogs and fact‑checking organisations. This partnership will monitor campaign ads, social media posts and printed propaganda for false or misleading content. Incorrect statements will be flagged and corrected publicly, and repeat offenders could face penalties, including temporary suspension of media licences.

d. Enhanced Voter Protection

Voter protection is a central theme in the new policy. To that end, the Election Commission will deploy “voter protection teams” that will accompany voters to polling stations. These teams will consist of volunteers trained in crowd management and will provide assistance in case of harassment or violence. Voter registration drives are also being expanded, particularly in rural areas where opposition influence is strong.

e. Legal Remedies

The Ministry of Justice has drafted a set of legal provisions that will enable swift prosecution of individuals who engage in violent or corrupt electoral conduct. This includes a new ordinance that defines “disruptive activities” in a broad but legally precise manner, allowing law‑enforcement agencies to act without undue delays. The ordinance also sets out specific penalties—ranging from fines to imprisonment—depending on the severity of the offence.

3. Reactions from the Opposition

The opposition parties have reacted with a mixture of cautious optimism and scepticism. In a statement issued from Dhaka, the BNP’s leader, Dr. Khaleda Zia, welcomed the “strong stance against violence” but urged the government to ensure that security forces do not become a tool of political intimidation. She also called for a “fair and transparent electoral environment” that allows all parties to compete on equal footing.

The Jatiya Party’s chief, H M Ershad, praised the new measures but cautioned that they must not infringe on the fundamental right to political expression. He emphasised the need for an “independent judiciary” to enforce the new laws impartially.

4. International Perspectives

International observers have also taken note. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a preliminary report stating that the Bangladesh government’s crackdown could enhance voter confidence if implemented correctly. The report highlighted that, historically, security lapses have contributed to voter suppression and cast doubt on the legitimacy of election results. However, the OCHA stressed the importance of ensuring that law‑enforcement actions do not target specific political groups unfairly.

In a separate briefing, the European Union’s mission in Bangladesh emphasised the need for “balanced application of the law” and suggested that the government maintain transparency about how the new measures are being enforced. The EU also recommended that the Election Commission establish an independent oversight committee to monitor potential misuse of the crackdown powers.

5. Background: The 2018 Elections and Ongoing Concerns

The backdrop to the new policy is the controversial 2018 elections, where the AL secured a landslide victory but the opposition alleged widespread fraud and intimidation. The Election Commission, headed by a ruling party appointee, faced accusations of partiality. Subsequent legal battles culminated in the Supreme Court’s decision to order a recount in key constituencies, but the outcome still left the opposition dissatisfied.

Public unrest followed the 2018 results, with opposition rallies turning violent on a few occasions. The government’s crackdown is, therefore, presented as a corrective measure designed to prevent a repeat of that scenario. The Ministry of Home Affairs has cited data from the 2018 security forces’ reports, which recorded 125 violent incidents during the election period—an increase from the 93 recorded in 2014.

6. Implementation Timeline

The new policy will be phased in over a four‑week period, starting from the first week of the official campaign launch. According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the implementation will involve:

1. Week 1–2: Mobilization of security forces, issuance of permits for rallies, launch of the media monitoring portal.
2. Week 3: Activation of voter protection teams, finalisation of legal provisions, public awareness campaigns about the new laws.
3. Week 4: Full operationalisation of all measures on the eve of voting day.

The government has pledged that the policy will be reviewed and adjusted if necessary, with periodic updates to the Election Commission and the public.

7. Looking Ahead

The crux of the government’s policy lies in its promise to create a safe, fair and transparent electoral process. Whether this translates into real change on the ground remains to be seen. Analysts point out that the success of the crackdown will hinge on the impartial application of the law, the cooperation of security agencies, and the willingness of the opposition to accept the new framework as legitimate.

With the national polls set to be held in late 2025, the next few months will be critical. The government’s proactive stance on curbing disruptive activities signals a shift in Bangladesh’s electoral politics, potentially heralding a new era of democratic participation. However, only a rigorous, transparent and inclusive implementation—supported by robust monitoring mechanisms—will ultimately determine whether the promised reforms bring about lasting improvements in the country’s political culture.