Protests Erupt Across Bangladesh Over Election Commission’s Constituency Changes
People in several parts of Bangladesh hit the streets on Sunday, protesting the Election Commission’s decision to redraw constituency boundaries ahead of the February 2026 general elections. Local media like The Daily Star reported widespread anger over these changes, which locals say could shake up their voting areas.
In Bagerhat, activists and party leaders from the all-party combined committee didn’t let heavy rain stop them. They started with sit-ins early in the morning at the deputy commissioner’s (DC) office gate. From there, they marched to the district election office, locked its main entrance, and shouted slogans demanding that all four parliamentary constituencies in the district stay as they are. The crowd later surrounded the DC office too. Protests spread to all nine upazila-level election offices, UNO offices, and other government spots. These sit-ins went on until noon, showing strong local pushback against the boundary cuts.
Over in Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila, residents kicked off a three-day blockade of roads and railways right from Sunday morning. They’re upset about the shift of Algi and Hamirdi unions from Faridpur-4 to Faridpur-2. Blockades will hit key spots daily, including Hospital Gate, the rail line, Puliya Bus Stand, Pukuria Rail Crossing, Pukuria Bus Stand, Mansurabad Bus Stand, Hamirdi Bus Stand, Madhabpur Bus Stand, and Suyadi Bus Stand. This move is stirring up big concerns among voters who want their constituencies unchanged for the 2026 polls.
Meanwhile, in Pabna’s Bera upazila, a full dawn-to-dusk protest shut down roads and river routes. Locals are furious over the plan to remove Bera from the Pabna-1 constituency. The Shorbodolio Songram Committee, supported by BNP leaders, called for this hartal to keep Pabna-1 intact. Protesters set up barricades around Bera Bus Stand, blocking traffic on the busy Dhaka-Pabna highway. Shops stayed closed, and crowds gathered on the highway, raising their voices against the Election Commission’s redistricting.
These protests highlight growing tensions in Bangladesh as the country gears up for the 2026 general elections. Locals fear the changes could affect fair representation, and they’re making sure their demands get heard loud and clear. Stay tuned for updates on how the Election Commission responds to these constituency redraws.
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