Bangladesh's Islamist groups are mobilizing for the upcoming February 12 elections, seeing their strongest opportunity in decades to gain a foothold in government after years of repression. The election marks the South Asian nation's first since the 2024 mass uprising ended the rule of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

• Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party, has formed alliances and is fielding candidates, primarily male.
• The Islamist resurgence follows Sheikh Hasina's 15-year tenure, which included a hardline stance against Islamist movements and the execution of several senior Islamist leaders for war crimes.
• The influential Hefazat-e-Islam, a coalition of Islamic schools, has seen leaders travel to Afghanistan, with Taliban officials visiting Bangladesh in December.