In Bangladesh’s political landscape, young voters have always been a decisive force. According to the Election Commission, nearly 30 percent of the country’s electorate—about 40 million voters—are youth. Their role is expected to be crucial in the upcoming national election. For the BNP, which has been at the center of much debate and controversy over the past year, the biggest challenge now is to win the trust of this demographic.

Young voters played a pivotal role in bringing the Awami League to power in 2008. However, subsequent elections were marred by controversy, and many young citizens were denied the opportunity to exercise their right to vote. This time, the number of first-time voters is significant. BNP leaders say they want to rebuild the future of Bangladesh by focusing on the aspirations of this generation, prioritizing employment, practical education, foreign language training, sports, and cultural activities.

Lessons from Student Politics

BNP’s student wing, the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), has faced setbacks in recent student union elections at Dhaka University (DUCSU) and Jahangirnagar University (JUSU). Their failure to secure student trust exposed organizational weaknesses. Analysts point to poor candidate selection, internal feuds, allegations of extortion and campus violence, absence from campuses for long periods, and fear of the notorious “guestroom culture” as key reasons behind the defeats.

Former acting JCD president Rashed Iqbal Khan admitted that organizational stagnation, weak online campaigns, inability to counter infiltration, and the dominance of pro-Jamaat administrators all contributed to the debacle. Still, BNP leaders insist the party has learned from these failures and is determined to move forward.

Expectations from the Youth

Hasibul Islam Sohag, a young businessman from Dhaka, said that after the fall of the Awami League government, young people now have sky-high expectations from BNP and other parties that took part in the mass uprising. He emphasized the need for action against drugs, restoring healthy academic environments, reviving traditional sports, and ensuring sustainable employment.

Mamunur Rashid Mukul, a private employee from Bogura, argued that only by ending extortion, terrorism, and land grabbing, while creating employment opportunities for unemployed youth, can BNP earn public trust.

Youth Initiatives and Programs

BNP’s affiliated organizations—JCD, Jubo Dal (youth wing), and Swechchhasebak Dal (volunteer wing)—have been carrying out regular programs. In addition, initiatives under the banner “Amra BNP Poribar” (We Are BNP Family) seek to engage young people in intellectual and creative activities.

Through its “Shobar Agey Bangladesh” (Bangladesh First) campaign, BNP has organized sports competitions, cultural events, and concerts in Dhaka and other major cities. At the university level, JCD has launched initiatives such as free hepatitis B vaccinations, health camps, football and badminton tournaments, women’s football competitions, and Qur’an recitation contests.

BNP’s Youth Policy and Employment Pledges

Out of BNP’s 31-point program, 22 points directly focus on youth issues:

• One year of unemployment allowance.

• Creation of one crore (10 million) jobs within 18 months.

• Employment based on merit, not political loyalty.

• Easy loans and projects for self-employment and entrepreneurship.

• Tech-based startup funds and incubation centers.

• Engagement of youth in agriculture and industry.

• Foreign language training, vocational education, and technical courses for global job markets.

BNP also promises to revive traditional sports such as boat racing and kabaddi, while expanding university-level tournaments and cultural programs. The party emphasizes healthy entertainment, social forestry, moral education, and anti-drug campaigns to keep young people away from destructive influences.

Tarique Rahman’s Vision

BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman has called for an end to slogan-based politics, focusing instead on realistic, implementable plans. He has pledged technology-driven education, foreign language training, startup funding, incubation centers, and the recognition of sports as a professional career path. His vision is to politically engage young citizens and make them key partners in nation-building.