How Bangladesh’s powerful Islamist groups are gearing up for elections

 

After years of repression, Bangladesh’s Islamist groups are mobilising ahead of February 12 elections, determined to gain a foothold in government as they sense their biggest opportunity in decades.

The South Asian nation – home to 170 million people, the vast majority Sunni Muslims – is preparing for its first polls since the mass uprising that toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

At the centre of this formidable push is the Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest and best-organised Islamist party.

Ideologically aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood, they are seeking a return to formal politics after years of bans and crackdowns.They have papered over divisions with several other Islamist groups for the election and put forward only male candidates.