At least 10 individuals lost their lives, and 2,503 others were wounded during the tumult surrounding the 13th national parliamentary election from October 2025 to February 14, 2026, according to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). The HRSS noted over 700 incidents occurred during this period, despite the overall peaceful nature of polling day.
The HRSS Executive Director, Md Ijajul Islam, revealed these statistics while presenting the “Election and Referendum Observation Report,” which detailed the violence that transpired. Among the recorded incidents, 10 fatalities were reported, with three deaths occurring post-results announcement. Additionally, 34 individuals sustained gunshot wounds, and over 500 properties, vehicles, businesses, election offices, and polling stations were either ransacked, looted, or set ablaze.
Between December 11, 2025, and February 11, 2026, encompassing the election schedule period, the HRSS documented 254 violent occurrences resulting in 1,650 injuries and five fatalities. Notably, 24 individuals were shot during these incidents, and more than 200 properties and establishments were targeted.
Internal clashes within the BNP supporter base accounted for 68 of the 254 incidents, leaving 595 injured and three dead, as reported by HRSS. Furthermore, clashes between BNP and Jamaat supporters resulted in 915 injuries and one fatality from 100 recorded confrontations.
The aftermath of the election saw violence spreading across 30 districts, with over 200 clashes involving BNP, Jamaat, and independent candidate supporters. The skirmishes led to over 300 injuries and the vandalization or arson of at least 350 offices, businesses, and residences, as per the HRSS findings.
Despite the eventful election period, polling day on February 12 remained death-free as confirmed by the HRSS. The organization deployed 565 observers to oversee voting in 1,733 centers across 100 constituencies. However, allegations arose that 48 observers were either denied entry to counting rooms or obstructed during the process.
HRSS uncovered irregularities in 21 centers, including allegations of center occupation, observer obstruction, ballot-related issues, premature signing and sealing of ballot counterfoils, and result display failures. The HRSS Programme Officer, Saiful Islam, documented 393 incidents of irregularities and clashes on the polling day, resulting in 145 injuries.
These incidents ranged from disorder at 149 centers, clashes between supporters, allegations of ballot tampering, expulsions of polling agents, official negligence instances, hindrance to voters, assaults on candidates, ballot box thefts, arson cases, and other irregularities totaling 31.
Additionally, HRSS reported 50 arrests, the removal of 13 presiding and polling officers, and 55 cases leading to imprisonment or fines. Five journalists suffered injuries, voting was annulled at three centers, and 64 instances involved the dissemination of misinformation via artificial intelligence tools.
Conversely, a separate state-run intelligence report highlighted unrest in the 48 hours post-polls, with three fatalities and 98 injuries recorded in 45 incidents across 38 constituencies. Subsequent incidents on February 13 and 14 revealed further clashes and violence, including fatal explosions and attacks on properties.
The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) expressed apprehension over the post-election turbulence and assaults on political adversaries. ASK urged political entities to restrain their grassroots members from retaliatory violence, intimidation, land encroachment, and assaults, particularly targeting vulnerable groups like women, minorities, and socially marginalized communities.
Furthermore, ASK emphasized the need for prompt and impartial investigations into allegations of sexual violence against a woman, stressing the state’s responsibility to safeguard citizens’ lives, safety, and dignity.
