Dhaka, January 27, 2026 – Bangladesh’s interim government has declared a three-day public holiday in February to facilitate maximum voter participation in the country’s historic 13th general election and constitutional referendum.
According to the Ministry of Public Administration, February 11 and 12 will be public holidays nationwide, while February 10 has been designated as a special holiday for workers and employees in industrial zones. The move aims to ensure smooth voter turnout across all sectors.
The upcoming election marks the first nationwide vote since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country in August 2024. Election authorities report that more than 127 million voters have been registered for the ballot, a record for Bangladesh.
With nearly 2,000 candidates contesting for 300 parliamentary seats, including 1,732 from 51 registered political parties, the election campaign has intensified with door-to-door canvassing, street rallies, and mass public meetings. Major parties participating include the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (288 candidates), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (224), Jatiya Party (192), National Citizen Party (32), along with 249 independent candidates, according to the Election Commission.
This year’s election is particularly significant as voters will also cast ballots in a referendum on constitutional reforms, aimed at strengthening democracy and rebalancing government powers. Authorities emphasize that the reforms will enhance the democratic process and ensure broader citizen representation.
The government urges all citizens to participate actively in both the election and referendum, highlighting the historic importance of this civic engagement for Bangladesh’s democratic future.