Staff Correspondent:
Keeping the ‘Bangladesh First’ policy as the main philosophy of running the state, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced its election manifesto for the upcoming thirteenth parliamentary elections. The party has expressed its firm commitment to building a just, humane and prosperous Bangladesh based on full trust and faith in Allah Almighty.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman officially announced the manifesto at the Sonargaon Hotel in the capital at 3:30 pm on Friday (February 6, 2026). He is leading the party in the upcoming elections and this is the first election manifesto of BNP under his leadership.
The Holy Quran was recited at the beginning of the program, which was held under the chairmanship of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Later, special prayers were offered for the souls of BNP founder martyred President Ziaur Rahman, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, late Arafat Rahman Koko, martyred leaders and activists of BNP and martyrs of various movements including the July Mass Uprising. After that, the national anthem was played.
The program was conducted by Nazrul Islam Khan, member of the party’s standing committee and chairman of the election management committee. BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi was in charge of conducting.
BNP standing committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moin Khan, Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Selima Rahman and other central leaders were present at the program. In addition, diplomatic representatives, senior journalists, editors, academicians, economists, businessmen and intellectuals from 38 countries including China, the United States, India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and Russia participated in the program.
Manifesto divided into 5 parts, 9 promises
Ahead of the 13th National Parliament elections, BNP has declared the commitment of ‘We will do work, we will build the country’ in its manifesto. The slogan of the manifesto is ‘Bangladesh first’. It has a total of 9 promises, a 5-part structure and a 51-point action plan for the next five years.
The manifesto promises comprehensive reforms and support in education, health, employment, social security, women’s empowerment and youth development. These include—
Introduction of family cards, farmer cards and expatriate cards
Massive employment creation for youth
Introduction of unemployment allowance
Employment exchange at district and upazila levels
Expansion of free internet facilities
Pledge for democracy, elections and constitutional reform
The manifesto states that voting will be re-established as the only legitimate source of state power. A sustainable democratic framework will be built through necessary reforms in the electoral system and the constitution. It has also promised to prevent the recurrence of fascism and foreign domination, and to ensure freedom of expression and the media.
Strict stance against corruption
The BNP has announced that there will be no compromise with corruption. Open tenders, real-time audits, performance audits, single window clearance and strict measures will be taken to prevent money laundering. It has also said that a special commission will be formed to investigate the capital market scandals that occurred during the Awami League era.
Economy and development plan
The manifesto has set a goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034. It has promised an investment-oriented economy, increased foreign investment, banking sector reform, inflation control and the formation of an economic reform commission.
Plans to build a logistics hub centered around Chittagong and Mongla ports, increase power generation to 35,000 MW, create 1 million jobs in the ICT sector and build a hardware manufacturing center are also mentioned.
Social Justice and Humane State
Poverty alleviation through a humane and dignity-based social security framework, women’s empowerment, special protection for the disabled and backward communities, preparation of an accurate list of martyrs of the Liberation War, and rehabilitation of the martyrs and injured of the July Uprising have been pledged.
Foreign Policy and Religious Freedom
The ‘Bangladesh First’ policy has also been given importance as the main philosophy of foreign policy. It has been said to maintain balanced relations with all countries by prioritizing national interests, sovereignty, and the welfare of the people.
On religious issues, BNP has reiterated – ‘Religion is for everyone, state is for everyone’. In addition to ensuring religious freedom and security, there is also a promise to increase the honorarium of khatibs, imams, and muezzins.
Journalism and Media
The manifesto has pledged to end professional freedom, security, and harassment of journalists. It has promised to ensure justice for journalist murders and to form a National Journalist Retirement Welfare Board.
BNP said that this election manifesto has been formulated in accordance with the 19-point agenda of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia’s Vision-2030, Tarique Rahman’s 31-point agenda for state repair, and the July National Charter.
