Title: Religious Identity and Electoral Choice in Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Election: A Study of Voting Behavior in Northern Bangladesh
Authors: Md. Nazmul Huda
Gazi Rausan Habib Anika
Most. Helen Zaman
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 520-529
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
Political behavior is often influenced by religious identity, especially in societies where religion continues to play an influential role in social and political life. Bangladesh provides a significant context for investigating this relationship. This study used a qualitative survey method to explore impact of religious identity on the electoral choice in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary election held on 12 February 2026. A quantitative survey was conducted among 200 voters from five northern districts of Bangladesh. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to find electoral participation, voting preferences, religious influence on vote choice, as well as the role of religious institutions in political communication. The findings indicate a high level of electoral participation, with 74% of respondents reporting participation in every or most national elections. More than half of the respondents (55.9%) acknowledged that religion remained a moderate to very high influence on their electoral voting decisions. The findings also suggest that the religious ideology of political parties was the most influential religious factor which influenced their voting behavior. Candidates' religious practices and religious identity gets second priority. Although religious institutions were not the primary source of political information among most respondents, Wazz Mahfils continued to play a significant role in religious-political communication. The results further indicate that voters evaluate both political parties and candidates when making electoral decisions. The study concludes that religious identity continues to affect voting behavior in Bangladesh by shaping indirect factors namely ideological beliefs, moral values, and perceptions of political parties and candidates. Its influence is driven more by these indirect factors than by direct religious teaching. These findings contribute empirical evidence to the literature on religion and electoral behavior and thus provide insights into the continuing role of religion in Bangladesh's democratic politics.