Bangladesh election: Is the military still a power behind the scenes?

"Bangladesh's era of coups and military rule may be over for now, but the army remains a potent force impacting politics, say analysts. In Dhaka's political chatter, one word often keeps resurfacing when people debate who really holds the reins of the country: Kochukhet. The neighbourhood that houses key military installations has, in recent public discussions, become shorthand for the cantonment's influence over civilian matters, including politics."

"The army is not vying for electoral power. But it has become central to the voting climate as the most visible guarantor of public order, with the police still weakened in morale and capacity after the upheaval of 2024, and with the country still reckoning with a security apparatus that watchdogs and official inquiries say was used to shape political outcomes under Hasina."

The army holds a potent role in Bangladesh's politics despite the end of overt coups and military rule. Kochukhet, a Dhaka neighbourhood hosting key military installations, symbolizes cantonment influence over civilian affairs. The country approaches a national election on February 12 after the 2024 uprising that removed Sheikh Hasina and installed an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. The army is not seeking electoral power but serves as the primary guarantor of public order while police remain weakened in morale and capacity. Soldiers have patrolled streets for nearly eighteen months with magisterial powers. Officials plan to deploy up to 100,000 troops and to formally list the armed forces among election law-enforcement agencies.

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