Dhaka: The International Day of Democracy 2026 is being observed today in the country as elsewhere around the world. Marking the day, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised "the importance of bringing together people from across societies to enrich decision-making, foster trust and build more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies."
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the United Nations Democracy Fund and United Nations Office for Partnerships will host an event on the International Day of Democracy at UN Headquarters to highlight how deliberative democracy can foster greater agency and ownership by bringing diverse voices into decision-making. The event will reflect on experiences from citizens' assemblies across the globe and explore how participation, dialogue, and inclusion can strengthen trust and contribute to more responsive, accountable, and effective governance.
Bangladesh appears to be regaining a strong footing in democracy after a political changeover last February through a participatory election, as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured an overwhelming majority in the votes and assumed office. The democracy that reemerged on the election day of February 12, 2026, now is reshaping its course with good governance and the rule of law under the BNP, led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The people of Bangladesh are now beginning to feel and appreciate the value of the democracy they had been deprived of for years.
There are visible signs that Bangladesh is moving towards a true sense of democratization. Opposition voices are present in parliament. Political parties are able to organize programmes and criticize government policies. The media enjoys greater room to question those in power. Public criticism of the government is more visible. Even satire and political cartoons can appear without fear. This change in the political atmosphere may appear simple, but after years of fear, it carries enormous democratic significance.
Since taking office, the BNP government has sought to strengthen democratic governance and restore public confidence in democratic institutions. During this period, there have been no reported cases of enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing, no allegations of politically motivated mass cases, and no reported closure of newspapers or media outlets for publishing criticism of the government. Freedom of expression, press freedom, and the right to dissent have remained part of the public space, while there have been no credible reports of systematic political harassment of opposition voices. These developments represent an important test of the government's commitment to democratic institutions, civil liberties, and accountable governance.
The country has now moved from years of political fear to a moment of renewed democratic hope. The journey is not complete, and the road ahead will certainly have challenges. But the direction is clear. Elections are once again meaningful. Opposition politics has regained space. Public criticism is more open. Political power has changed hands through the ballot box. And a new leadership is seeking to present simplicity, humanity, tolerance, and restraint as important qualities of governance.
On the occasion of International Democracy Day, BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a message saying that if the practice of democracy continues, no dictatorial force can raise its head. In an interview with BSS, he emphasized the importance of establishing the 'rule of law' as an essential condition for democracy, adding that constructive criticism and political opposition are natural accompaniments of a democratic system. Rizvi highlighted the victorious journey of democracy that began on August 5, 2024, and the responsibility to protect it through free and fair elections.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Md Shafiqur Rahman also issued a statement, expressing that the previous Awami fascist government buried democracy and deprived people of their voting rights and fundamental freedoms. He described the July mass uprising of 2024 as a historic opportunity to establish democracy in the country and emphasized the need to fulfill the nation's aspirations for a discrimination-free and humane Bangladesh.
General Secretary of Biplobi Workers Party of Bangladesh, Saiful Haque, in an interview, stated that people can now speak freely, with freedom of speech unrestricted across the country. He criticized previous governments for snatching away voting rights and establishing autocracy. Saiful noted the positive trend underway since the February 2026 election, with no terrorist activities or politically motivated arrests reported, marking a shift from a culture of fear to an expanding democratic practice.
These developments signal a new chapter in Bangladesh's democratic journey, as the nation embraces greater political freedoms and strives for a more inclusive and accountable governance.