Preventing and mitigating violence during the upcoming local government elections is the ultimate goal of this systematic review of the 2026 general election cycle. It examines political instability surrounding the 2026 general elections to help stakeholders prepare for the upcoming local government polls. By using a composite severity index that weights deaths, injuries, and property damage, the research identifies specific geographic hotspots where violence was most intense. Data for this analysis was gathered through the systematic monitoring of credible national newspapers and verified open-source intelligence.

The findings highlight a significant shift in violence from pre-election campaign friction to post-election retribution. Before the February 12 polls, a high-intensity corridor of unrest was concentrated in the south and southwest, particularly in districts like Jessore and Bhola. Following the elections, there was a sharp escalation in retaliatory strikes and targeted killings, with Bagerhat and Jhenaidah emerging as critical epicenters of instability. While the southern and central regions near Dhaka faced elevated risks, the northern and northeastern parts of the country, such as Sylhet and Rangpur, remained relatively stable.

Across the entire monitoring period, the study documented a total of 12 deaths and 577 injuries. Property destruction also served as a major tool for political intimidation, with 34 verified cases of arson and vandalism targeting both private homes and partisan infrastructure. The analysis concludes that security resources and mediation efforts should be prioritized in these identified critical zones to protect civic spaces and prevent future cycles of instability during local elections.

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Mapping Electoral Violence in Bangladesh: Pre- and Post-Election Trends (December 2025–February 2026)

Mapping Electoral Violence in Bangladesh: Pre- and Post-Election Trends (December 2025–February 2026)