With Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and national referendum set for February 12, major Western governments, including the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada, recently issued updated travel and security advisories, citing risks of political violence, extremist attacks, and escalating unrest in the run-up to the polls.
The US Embassy in Dhaka released a security alert on January 30, warning that “political violence or extremist attacks may occur, potentially targeting rallies, polling stations, and religious sites such as churches, temples, mosques, and other places of religious significance.”
The advisory stresses that even demonstrations planned as peaceful can escalate quickly into confrontations, urging US citizens to avoid large gatherings, remain vigilant, monitor local news, review personal security plans, carry charged mobile phones for emergencies, and plan alternative travel routes. It also notes government-imposed transportation restrictions on motorcycles from February 10 and on all vehicles on February 11 and 12, which will limit US Embassy services on those days.
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The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its Bangladesh travel advice on January 28, highlighting “the threat of political violence and extremist attacks during the election period” and advising travellers to plan carefully and follow local authorities’ guidance. The advisory reflects broader concerns over a volatile security environment, including potential targeting of political rallies and polling centres.
Canada’s travel advisory, updated recently, echoes these warnings, urging citizens to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, anticipate increased security force presence, monitor local and international media, and comply with local authorities’ instructions amid the election context.
These international alerts coincide with reports of no formal election observers from the United States, as confirmed by the Election Commission following discussions with US officials. While US Embassy representatives plan to informally monitor voting in select regions like Dhaka, Sylhet, Chattogram, and Khulna, the US has stated it will not deploy an official observer team. Similarly, the United Nations has clarified that it will not send observers without a mandate from the General Assembly or the Security Council.
The warnings arrive against a backdrop of intensifying political tensions since the Election Commission announced the schedule on December 11, 2025. At least 16 political activists have been killed in clashes involving supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and independent candidates. Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and the World Organisation against Torture, have documented targeted killings, media attacks, and a pervasive sense of impunity undermining the post-2024 democratic transition.
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Mob violence has surged, with human rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra reporting nearly 200 deaths from mob incidents in 2025 alone. This patternโoften termed “mobocracy” by criticsโhas disproportionately impacted minorities, including Hindus, with reports of lynchings, such as the brutal killing of garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in December 2025 over alleged blasphemy allegations, fueling fears among minority communities ahead of the vote.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus since the 2024 ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has drawn criticism for its inability to stem the violence amid a reported rise in illegal firearms, disinformation, and divisions among former anti-Hasina allies. The banning of Hasina’s Awami League, which once enjoyed broad support, has deepened polarisation and raised concerns about space for extremist elements.
As campaigning intensifies, international calls for vigilance persist, while some local observers express cautious optimism that fair polls could pave the way for greater stability. With the election date approaching rapidly, Bangladesh’s handling of these security challenges will be under intense global scrutiny as the nation navigates its path forward.
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