Country's more than 86.5 percent of voters are in favour of holding the next election by February next year while 77.5 percent expressed confidence that they would be able to vote safely and without fear, according to a survey, titled "People's Thoughts on the Election", conducted by Innovation Consulting, a private research and policy advisory firm.
The survey also stated that more than 56 percent of the country's voters admitted they have little or no knowledge about how proportional representation (PR) system works. The new public opinion survey on electoral issues was launched on Sunday at a programme held at an auditorium in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, attended the event as chief guest.
The findings of the survey, conducted between September 2 and 15, interviewed 10,413 registered voters across the country, point to an overwhelming enthusiasm for participation that 94.3 percent of respondents said they intend to cast their vote.
Regarding the awareness of PR system elections, the awareness higher among younger, urban, and educated voters, who were also more likely to view PR positively compared to older generations, according to the survey.
In the event, the organisers claimed that the debate over whether Bangladesh's next general election should be held under the proportional representation (PR) system or continue with the first-past-the-post (FPTP) method remains unresolved.
The survey also measured public perceptions of the interim government's performance since assuming responsibility earlier this year. 78.7% of respondents rated its overall performance as "good" or "average."
However, urban, educated, and younger populations expressed comparatively lower levels of satisfaction.
Religious minorities were less confident about the interim administration's ability to ensure a fully neutral election.
This mixed perception underscores the challenges the interim government faces in maintaining broad public trust. While many appreciate its stabilizing role, skepticism remains among key demographic groups that could play a decisive role in the upcoming polls.
Despite optimism about safe voting, the survey highlighted serious concerns about governance: 56% of respondents said they were worried about the law-and-order situation. A significant number felt that extortion and criminal activities have increased over the last six months. These concerns were most pronounced among city residents, youth, and higher-income, better-educated respondents.
Analysts warn that unless these security concerns are addressed, they could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
Bangladesh has historically conducted elections under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, where candidates with the highest votes in individual constituencies are declared winners. In contrast, proportional representation (PR) allocates parliamentary seats based on the percentage of votes received by each party nationwide.
Supporters of PR argue that it ensures fairer representation for smaller political parties and reduces the dominance of major parties. Critics, however, say PR could lead to fragmented parliaments and unstable coalition governments.
The National Consensus Commission, set up earlier this year, has been tasked with exploring the feasibility of electoral reforms, including PR. However, sharp divisions remain among political parties. Some major opposition groups favor PR as a way to reduce ruling-party dominance, while others insist on sticking to the current system.
Rubaiyat Sarwar, Managing Director of Innovation Consulting, formally presented the findings. He noted that while enthusiasm for voting remains high, the limited understanding of electoral reform could create confusion if major changes are introduced too quickly.
Regarding the issue, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said the government has no intention of dictating the outcome. Instead, he stressed, the decision must come from the country's political parties.
"Whether the next election will be under PR or the existing system is for the political parties to decide," Alam said. "On this issue, the government should speak less, not more."
His statement highlights the delicate position of the interim administration, which faces growing demands from multiple political groups to ensure that the 2026 national elections are both inclusive and credible.
Shafiqul Alam's comments suggest that the interim government will avoid imposing a top-down decision on the electoral framework. Instead, it will leave the matter to political dialogue. This approach is seen as an attempt to build broad-based legitimacy for the next polls, given the contentious history of elections in Bangladesh.
With 95% of surveyed voters expressing willingness to participate, experts say the country has an opportunity to conduct one of its most inclusive elections in decades-provided that political parties can agree on the rules of the game.
Political analysts also point out that the next few months will be critical. If disagreements over PR persist, they could delay preparations for the election or heighten tensions among rival camps. On the other hand, a consensus-whether for PR, FPTP, or a hybrid system-could help restore confidence in the democratic process.
The survey results reflect a population eager to vote but divided on electoral reform. While most citizens want elections by February 2026, more than half are unfamiliar with PR, highlighting the need for greater public education if reforms are introduced.
For now, the interim administration appears intent on maintaining neutrality. As Press Secretary Alam stated, the final decision on electoral rules must lie with the political parties themselves. Whether they can reach a consensus may determine not only the structure of the next election but also the credibility of Bangladesh's democratic future.
