37.4 pc young voters like Jamaat, 27 pc back BNP : CRF survey

Staff Reporter :

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is the first choice of new and young voters in the upcoming election. This time, 37.4 percent of young voters intend to vote for Jamaat-e-Islami. BNP comes next with 27 percent, followed by NCP with 17 percent. Meanwhile, 18.6 percent of young voters are still undecided.

These findings were revealed on Wednesday (4 February) at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Hall of the National Press Club in the capital during the presentation of a research report titled “Uncovering the Public Pulse: A Nationwide Survey.”

The survey was jointly conducted by the Communication and Research Foundation (CRF) and the Bangladesh Election and Public Opinion Studies (BEPOS). It was carried out in two phases between 20 November and 31 December 2025, covering 11,038 voters from 180 constituencies across all 64 districts of the country.

The report was presented at the press conference by Zakaria Palash, Strategic Coordinator of CRF. Expert discussants included Dr M Niaz Asadullah, Visiting Professor at the University of Reading, UK, and Professor Dr Saber Ahmed Chowdhury of the University of Dhaka.

According to the survey, more than 90 percent of voters expressed their intention to cast their votes, while 8 percent are still uncertain about participating.

Among voters, 30.2 percent said they would prioritise a candidate’s personal qualifications, and 33.2 percent said they would consider both the party and the candidate.

The report further noted that voters are now placing greater emphasis on good governance and a corruption-free administration than on religious issues. For 67.3 percent of voters, the main issue in the upcoming election is corruption. In addition, 63 percent prioritised rising prices of essential commodities, 55.4 percent development, and 51 percent security. In contrast, 35.9 percent of voters considered religious issues important.

An analysis of political preferences shows that among voters who previously voted for the Awami League, 48 percent now prefer BNP. Meanwhile, 29 percent prefer Jamaat, 6.5 percent NCP, and 13 percent other parties. Another 2.4 percent of voters have not yet made a decision.

Regarding security concerns, the report said that general voters fear intimidation at polling centres, fraud, and ballot box snatching. About 49 percent of BNP voters and 71 percent of Jamaat voters believe that incidents of intimidation may occur at polling stations. The report also mentioned concerns about ballot rigging and bias in favour of the ruling side.