The Intelligence from The Economist Dhaka matters: an election for Bangladesh
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Feb 11, 2026 
Shira (Shera) Avi-Yonah, a business writer who shares how she once applied by email, and Mark Johnson, a senior editor reporting from Dhaka, discuss Bangladesh’s post-Hasina power shift and the high-stakes election. They cover constitutional reform, economic challenges and regional tensions. Short, topical conversations on political maneuvering and how recruitment is changing in the AI era.
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Islamist Party Gains From Perceived Cleanliness
- Jamaat, an Islamist party, is attracting votes partly because it's seen as disciplined and cleaner than older parties despite never holding many seats.
- Its social-media strength and appeal to pious voters complicate liberal middle-class worries about rights and governance.
Priorities For The Next Government
- A new government must increase efficiency, boost revenue, and cut corruption to prepare Bangladesh for graduating from least-developed status.
- It should also prioritise rebuilding stable relations with India despite recent tensions and sensitivities.
Legal Reforms Need Political Follow-Through
- Constitutional revisions by the interim government aim to prevent future tyranny but require the next administration to enact them.
- Rehabilitating the banned Awami League will be politically painful yet likely necessary for perceived fairness.