Advisers’ asset disclosures and a test for the new government

The interim government’s (IG) disclosure of the assets of advisers on February 10, just days before the scheduled end of its tenure, was not only delayed by 533 days after its commitment to do so, but was also incomplete, flawed, and unfit for purpose.
16 February 2026, 00:00 AM

The weight of a supermajority in parliament

Large mandates are usually treated as moments of political triumph. In institutional terms, however, they are something else: a change in the conditions under which power operates.
16 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Without SME-friendly policies, green funds won't work

A news report published in The Daily Star early this month highlighted many factory owners’ struggle to access the much-heralded Green Transformation Fund (GTF).
16 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Reviving RTI: A test for the new government

The long-anticipated and widely speculated national election has concluded. Contrary to many predictions, voters delivered a decisive mandate to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
15 February 2026, 00:17 AM

The likely PM’s first crucial challenge

Choose cabinet with utmost care, for it may determine success or failure
15 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Bangladesh has spoken. Now it’s time to deliver

Bangladesh’s most consequential election, held on Thursday, would change the course of politics in the country.
14 February 2026, 15:45 PM

Lack of women’s representation mars an otherwise fair election

The 13th national election on Thursday was fair, but a major area of concern in this election was women’s representation.
14 February 2026, 01:56 AM

A credible election, the reform journey commences now

What stood out immediately about Thursday's election was the peaceful atmosphere.
14 February 2026, 01:50 AM

A test of democratic renewal

On Thursday, Bangladesh held an acceptable election after 18 years, one in which participation was not curtailed by the state itself.
14 February 2026, 01:43 AM

V for Victory, V for Valentine: A mandate is not a licence

It’s perhaps divine timing that V-Day falls just after the confirmation of election results, marked by the public’s overwhelming support for the party at the top and the strengthening of support bases for the parties in second place.
14 February 2026, 01:32 AM

The emerging architecture of post-authoritarian politics

What is being decided is not only who will govern but whether the institutional settlement emerging from the uprising can acquire sufficient legitimacy to endure.
13 February 2026, 18:30 PM

Can we finally address harassment and domestic abuse with deserved gravitas?

Let us begin with the sexual harassment ordinance. The most significant shift is symbolic and legal simultaneously as we deal with codification.
13 February 2026, 10:00 AM

A new Bangladesh demands new directions

While all our expectations from this pivotal moment may not have been fulfilled, we have, nevertheless, obtained a roadmap for moving forward. Bangladesh is soon going to have a parliament with members elected through a largely credible competition.
13 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Finally, an election that felt real

Across the country, we noted a large turnout of the youngest of young and the frailest of elderly voters.
13 February 2026, 00:00 AM

From boycotts to balance: Rethinking the opposition’s role in parliament

Both the Awami League and BNP have treated parliament like a stage that can be deserted whenever negotiations stall, criminal cases are filed, or street pressure seems more useful than parliamentary debate.
13 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Not voting is not an option

For those of us in our 20s and above, the 13th parliamentary election is the first where we hold real leverage.
12 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Strengthening institutions for renewable energy: The first test for the new government

As the interim government’s term comes to an end, power is set to be transferred to the democratically elected leadership.
12 February 2026, 00:00 AM

Why this election matters more than ever

Despite many uncertainties and deep misgivings that weigh heavily on our minds, the excitement of voting this time is inescapable.
11 February 2026, 23:16 PM

Bangladesh needs true leaders, not divisive or power-hungry ‘netas’

Since independence, Bangladeshi politics has been shaped by a narrow set of familiar narratives.
11 February 2026, 18:38 PM

An education law – does it matter?

The point is that complex and diverse education services operate under a variety of legal provisions, and their requirements can hardly be met by a single umbrella law.
11 February 2026, 01:38 AM