Bangladesh’s Election Commission is leaving nothing to chance ahead of the February 12, 2026, national parliamentary elections and referendum. A new rule prohibits mobile phone use within 400 yards of every polling station, a decision formalized in an official letter to 69 returning officers.
Signed by MD Shahidul Islam, the directive specifies exceptions for presiding officers, on-site police security heads, and select Ansar members operating the Election Security 2026 app. Everyone else—including eager candidates and media personnel—must power down and step away.
With campaigns concluding on Monday, the nation braces for a pivotal vote originally scheduled last December but now set for next year. This phone ban is part of intensified security protocols to prevent tampering and disruptions.
Parallel to these logistics, a darker narrative unfolds: the perilous path for women in politics. Commission statistics show dismal female candidacy numbers, exacerbated by rampant cyber crimes and threats against independents.
In Dhaka-19, NCP’s Dilsana Parul has been a prime target. ‘Trolls attack my appearance and character, from opponents and so-called liberals alike,’ she told The Dhaka Tribune. Her campaign workers have received death threats, underscoring a systemic bias where women’s integrity is weaponized unlike male counterparts’ policy critiques.
Media coverage reveals widespread reports of sexual harassment, defamation, and intimidation across constituencies, designed to scare women out of the race. Yet resilience shines through. Parul vows to persist, prioritizing local growth over fear.
These elections test Bangladesh’s democratic resilience. The mobile ban symbolizes control over chaos, but empowering women against digital and physical foes will define true progress. Voters and watchdogs await a transparent, inclusive poll.