Bangladesh launches campaigns for first post-Hasina general polls

Bangladesh began official campaigning on Thursday for the hugely anticipated general elections next month, the first since the 2024 uprising ended the autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina.

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Tens of thousands of flag waving supporters of key frontrunner Tarique Rahman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) crowded the streets of the northern city of Sylhet, chanting his name.

"We have liberated the country from autocratic rule," prime ministerial hopeful Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile, told crowds of BNP loyalists. "Now we must establish the rights of the people."

Rahman vowed to create jobs for "millions of unemployed youth" and support women's economic independence.

Key rival Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) - the largest Islamist party in the Muslim-majority nation of 170 million - began its campaign in the capital Dhaka, after being crushed during Hasina's 15 years in power.

Jamaat's leader Shafiqur Rahman said he wanted to clamp down on corruption and build a nation where "people from all races, religions and communities will be treated equally."

Among the sea of Jamaat supporters was Kakoli Akter, 36, who said it was the first election rally she had ever attended.