Undecided Voters Surge, Majority Expect Fair Polls

Representational photo

Nearly half of Bangladesh’s voters remain undecided ahead of the next national election, even as a majority express confidence in a free and fair voting process, two new nationwide surveys have revealed.

The latest Pulse Survey 3 found that 48.5% of respondents have yet to decide which party to support—a sharp increase from 38% in October 2024. This 10.5 percentage point rise in just eight months underscores the uncertainty shaping the political landscape. Another 14.4% declined to share their preference, and 1.7% said they would not vote.

Among those declaring party allegiance, 12% supported the BNP, 10.4% Jamaat-e-Islami, and 2.8% the Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP). Compared to last year, BNP and Jamaat saw small dips in support, while the NCP gained marginally. Backing for the Awami League fell from 8.9% to 7.3%, while the Jatiya Party and other Islamist parties also registered declines.

When asked which party they believed would win in their own constituencies, 38% named BNP, 13% Jamaat, 1% NCP, and 7% Awami League.

A separate survey on Public Opinion, Experiences, and Expectations showed that 70% of respondents expect the upcoming election to be free, fair, and impartial, while 15% doubt its credibility. On election timing, 51% preferred holding polls after comprehensive reforms, 17% after urgent reforms, and 32% by December 2025. About 12% supported February 2026, 11% June 2026, and 25% December 2026 or later.

Despite optimism about the fairness of the polls, political confidence appears to be waning. The share of citizens who feel positive about the country’s future fell from 71% in August 2024 to 42% in July 2025. Still, 55% said elections should be held within the interim government’s original timeline—by June 2026.

The findings are based on telephone interviews with 5,489 men and women across all 64 districts, conducted from July 1–20, 2025. Rural respondents accounted for 73% of the sample, with 27% from urban areas.