A nationwide survey has revealed a transformation in country’s political landscape, with 48 percent of voters who previously backed the ousted Awami League now intending to cast their vote for Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in the upcoming general election.
The study, titled "Uncovering the Public Pulse: Findings from a Nationwide Survey," was released Wednesday at the National Press Club.
Conducted by the Communication and Research Foundation (CRF) alongside Bangladesh Election and Public Opinion Studies, the research paints a picture of a highly engaged electorate, with over 90 percent of respondents expressing a strong desire to cast their ballots.
Strategic Coordinator of the CRF, Zakaria Palash, detailed the extensive scope of the project, which gathered data from 11,038 voters across 180 parliamentary constituencies spanning all 64 districts. The data collection took place in two distinct phases between November 20, 2025, and January 31, 2026.
According to the findings, the exodus from the Awami League's traditional voter base is significant. Beyond the 48.2 percent shifting to the BNP, nearly 30 percent of former AL supporters now favor Jamaat-e-Islami, while 6.5 percent lean toward the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP). Only a small fraction, roughly 2.4 percent, remains undecided.
The survey also identified the primary drivers of voter behavior, with 67.3 percent citing corruption as their top priority. Religious values emerged as the second most influential factor at 35.9 percent, followed closely by economic anxieties including the rising cost of living, unemployment, and national security concerns.
While the enthusiasm for voting remains high, experts at the press conference cautioned that actual turnout hinges on the environment at polling stations. They called on the Election Commission and the government to prioritize safety and order, specifically to ensure that women and elderly voters can participate without fear or hindrance.
