Young Voters Set to Shape Election Outcomes in Bangladesh

“I wish I could go to the election centre early; I would meet my grandfather for the first time who left the world before my birth”.This humorous joke portrayed the three national elections widely criticized as “sham polls” held under the Awami League regime. Election commission revealed that over two million fraudulent votes were cast in the names of deceased individuals, facilitated by previous elections. Many voters were also unable to exercise their franchise, while others had compromised their choice.

However, the uncompromising young generation is now better informed, more cautious and ready to fight for accountability and transparency in nation-building.This trend  has already been shown in global politics over the past decade. Between roughly 2022 and 2025, youth led movements spread from Asia to Africa to Latin America. Mass protests filled the streets of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Madagascar, Morocco, Peru and Turkey, toppling national governments in several cases. These protests were driven by frustration over economic inequality, political corruption, unemployment, fascism, nepotism, and democratic backsliding.

As a result, Gen Z has emerged as the most unconventional political force, bringing a turning point for global governance and rewriting the rules of political power and even the meaning of democracy itself. This was evident in the mayoral election in New York, where youth voting was credited for Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the election .

Now it’s Bangladesh turn. The 36-day-long movement spearheaded by Gen Z  successfully brought an end to Prime minister Shaikh Hasina’s 16-year authoritarian rule. Since then attention has shifted to the most anticipated national election scheduled for February 12  along with referendums on constitutional matters under the July Charter.

From tea stalls to offices, elections have become a buzzing topic everywhere. People from all walks of life, especially young voters, are showing immense interest. According to the Election Commission (EC), approximately 45 million voters, roughly one-third of the electorate, are dominated by young voters. This number of youth has the capacity to decisively influence electoral outcomes nationwide.

Political analysts point out this high level of participation for experiencing previous elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 that were plagued by political controversy and participation crisis. Further, the July uprising has significantly strengthened political awareness. Many young voters directly witnessed the loss of family members, relatives or friends. So elections have become more personal to them. They are even willing to sacrifice their lives for their rights. This was again proved by the  death of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, who once said, “We will give our lives, but not give up July.”

Several newspaper articles, surveys, and interviews showed that young people are particularly concerned about student politics, Women’s safety, Law and order situation, Rising cost of living, Corruption and nepotism. Accordingly, they desire corruption-free candidates, youth leadership, freedom of expression, state reforms, justice, national reconstruction, and implementation of the July Charter.

All major parties except the Awami League are expected to participate in the election. The final competition is likely to be between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the 11 Party Alliance led by the Jamaat-E-Islami and the National Citizen Party (NCP). While election  manifestos of the groups are yet to be released, they are regularly campaigning offline assembly and online through theme songs, photo cards, videos, and reels on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, X and TikTok.

After years of political repression, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has actively participated in the election, urging young voters with the slogan “Let your first vote be for sheaf of paddy”. The party proposals include creating one million jobs, allowance for educated unemployed youth, free Wi-Fi in all educational institutions, freelance income facilitation, third-language education, a practical and technology-driven education system. The party leader has arranged several meetings and events to engage youth. In contrast, several BNP members and local leaders have resigned or been publicly criticized over corruption, extortion, harassment, illegal power exercise and neglect of the July movement’s goals. This occurrence has made the younger generation sceptical about the party that represents ‘Old Politics’ rather than strong capacity to deliver meaningful change.

On the other hand, Jamaat-E-Islami has usually faced criticism over its stance on secularism and female’s participation. In recent years, it has slightly shifted from its traditional position. For instance, Islami Chhatra Shibir, a student wing of Jamaat, achieved unprecedented success in central student union elections across several public universities, where it included candidates from different gender and ethnic backgrounds in their panel. To attract young voters, they are also publicizing large-scale plans including training 10 million youth, Youth Tech Lab,Youth Job Banks, entrepreneurship amenities, uninterrupted education for girls, safe campuses, zero tolerance for harassment, equal pay, safe workplaces. It is primarily promoting welfare-oriented politics. Ahead of the polls, a recent statement on ‘X’ and Al Jazeera about women leadership by the Jamaat Ameer has further created widespread controversy in the country. As a result,  young voters, specifically females, are further concerned about the party’s stance in future.

Apart from them, the newly formed National Citizens Party (NCP), which emerged from the Anti-discrimination Student Movement with an aim of establishing a new consensus in politics, has now joined an 11-party electoral alliance with Jamaat-E-Islami. A large portion of the party’s leadership and candidates are young. It has put youth expectations at the core focus of its campaign. The party published its manifestos focusing on jobs,  women and youth entrepreneurs, reduced registration costs, tax exemption, language, and skills training, safe and skilled expatriate workers training. But the party, once a student voice behind regime change, is now marred by controversy such as allegations of extortion and internal chaos.

However, considering overall perspectives, the young voters who wanted a new political environment free from the traditional politics now find themselves trapped in a binary choice. In addition, there are also candidates who participate in the election as independents. As a solution, many young voters expressed that ballots should not be cast based on any particular party or electoral symbol but on the candidate's qualifications and clean image.

Even after the election, Gen Z will definitely keep monitoring the implementation of the election manifestos that has currently been given by parties. They are no longer just a vote bank, emerging as a powerful force capable of reshaping political outlook anytime.Whoever convinces youth will ultimately see the victory at the end.


Khadija Jahan Tanni is a
freelancer and a columnist. 
She can be reached at [email protected]