The Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Friday unveiled its election manifesto for the 13th Jatiya Sangsad polls, outlining nine key pledges focused on economic growth, social protection, and institutional reform.
Major pledges
- No-corruption, rule of law, accountability
- Truth and healing commission for accountability
- Family card to protect low-income households
- Farmer card for fair prices, subsidies, credit access
- Recruitment of 1 lakh healthcare workers
- Creation of 1 crore jobs
- Freedom of press and expression
- Caretaker govt system for free, fair elections
- Creation of vice-president post
- 10-year prime minister tenure limit
Among the headline commitments are the introduction of a family card system, the recruitment of one lakh healthcare workers, the development of a more employment-oriented education system, expanded exports of ‘Made in Bangladesh’ products, and the establishment of Bangladesh as a regional hub for e-commerce.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman formally announced the manifesto at an event at Sonargaon Hotel in the capital.
In his address, the BNP chair identified three critical issues that he said must be prioritised for any national plan or manifesto to be successfully implemented.
He described corruption as the first and most pressing challenge, stressing strict and uncompromising measures against corrupt practices regardless of which party was in power.
The second priority highlighted was the rule of law, which Tarique described as a fundamental pillar for ensuring that development initiatives were implemented in practice rather than kept as policy statements.
The third issue underscored was accountability, about which the BNP chair stated that accountability at all levels of governance was essential for building a successful, credible, and effective state.
In line with its 31-point state reform plan, the BNP proposed the creation of a ‘Truth and Healing Commission’ to strengthen national reconciliation and accountability.
The BNP manifesto said that the commission would investigate human rights violations that took place during the ‘fascist era’.
The body would prioritise victims’ dignity and compensation, ensuring that the perpetrators must face accountability through formal legal processes.
A key proposal in the manifesto is the introduction of a ‘Family Card’ scheme to support low-income and marginalised households.
Under the programme, beneficiaries each would receive Tk 2,500 per month or essential goods of equivalent value, with a scope for gradual increases.
To strengthen the agricultural sector, the BNP proposed a ‘Farmer Card’ to ensure fair prices, subsidies, easier access to credit, agricultural insurance, and state-supported marketing.
Similar support would be extended to fisher folk, livestock farmers, and rural small entrepreneurs.
In healthcare, the party pledged to recruit one lakh health workers nationwide as part of efforts to build a humane and corruption-free health system.
The manifesto set out plans for a value-based and skills-oriented education system, giving priority to primary education.
It promised greater technological support for teachers and students, along with a nationwide midday meal programme to improve student wellbeing and school retention.
To address youth employment, the BNP proposed job creation through skills development, technical and language training, support for startups and entrepreneurship and closer links with global e-commerce platforms.
It also pledged to ensure merit-based recruitment in government jobs.
Other commitments include expanding sports facilities at district and lower levels, strengthening environmental protection through river dredging and tree plantation programmes, and introducing modern waste management systems to improve climate resilience.
It outlined plans to boost the digital economy by introducing international payment systems, developing Bangladesh as a regional e-commerce hub, and expanding exports of ‘Made in Bangladesh’ products.
On state reform and governance, the BNP election manifesto -- under the theme ‘Bangladesh Before All’ -- promised the introduction of an election-time neutral caretaker government to guarantee fair voting.
The BNP also pledged to create the post of a vice-president, limit the prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of 10 years, and establish a 100-member upper chamber of parliament.
To improve governance and curb corruption, the party promised to appoint an ombudsman, introduce a single-window clearance system for businesses, rebuild a merit-based civil service, and ensure judicial independence through a separate secretariat and a judicial commission.
The manifesto also addressed reforms in law enforcement and local governance, proposing to transform the police into a service-oriented force operating under legal oversight.
Local government bodies would be strengthened through direct elections and greater financial autonomy.
In social sectors, the BNP pledged to allocate 5 per cent of the gross domestic product to both education and health each, with initiatives such as the ‘One Teacher, One Tablet’ programme for both the primary and secondary schools.
Women’s empowerment also featured prominently, with commitments of free education up to the master’s level for women and interest-free loans for women entrepreneurs.
For the youth, the focus is on creating one crore jobs, expanding skills development and promoting agro-entrepreneurship.
In its economic agenda, the BNP set a target of transforming Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.
Financial reforms include the formation of an Economic Reform Commission, ending political interference in the banking sector, addressing non-performing loans and developing a strong capital market.
The party promised to invest in a world-class multimodal transport system, including a national expressway grid and circular waterways, while reviving closed industries such as jute and textile mills and promoting the blue economy.
In the ICT sector, the manifesto set a goal of creating 10 lakh jobs, alongside plans to increase renewable energy to 20 per cent by 2030 and modernise energy transmission networks.
The BNP has proposed planting 250 million trees over five years and implementing the Teesta Master Plan to enhance the country’s water security.
It also promised to develop Chattogram as the commercial capital and outlined targeted strategies for the northern, haor, and coastal regions to reduce regional disparities.
For urban development, especially concerning Dhaka, the manifesto proposed satellite towns, monorail systems, and women-only buses to improve safety and ease congestion.
The BNP pledged to uphold the rights of all religious and ethnic communities and to provide honorariums for religious leaders of all faiths.
It promised to repeal the Digital Security Act to protect freedom of expression and promote sports as a professional career through the establishment of a National Sports Research Institute.
It also assured creating a more open and secure environment for journalists and media outlets, terming media freedom as a key pillar of democratic governance and accountability.
In foreign policy, guided by the ‘Bangladesh Before All’ principle, the party will seek balanced bilateral and multilateral relations, give a stronger focus on economic diplomacy, and take proactive initiatives to resolve the Rohingya crisis.
The BNP said that its foreign policy would be guided by mutual respect, sovereignty, and pragmatism, pursuing equal and fair relations based on shared interests and non-interference.
Regarding relations with neighbouring countries, the manifesto said that it would prioritise securing a fair share of waters from the transboundary rivers, including the Padma and the Teesta.
It also pledged to address longstanding border issues such as killings and cross-border smuggling through dialogue and cooperation.
On defence, the manifesto envisioned a disciplined, depoliticised, and modern armed force to safeguard national sovereignty.
Representatives from the embassies and high commissions of 38 countries, including ambassadors from China, Pakistan, and the European Union, were present at the event.
The gathering was also attended by senior journalists, political analysts, academics, economists, business leaders, poets, writers and other intellectuals.
