The Changing Landscape of Bangladesh's Election Campaigns: A Cross-Sectional Study on National and Local Level

Bangladesh, a nation with a long-standing democratic tradition, holds regular elections at both national and local levels. Election campaigns in Bangladesh are vibrant and essential to the democratic process, significantly impacting public interest, participation, and election results. Each campaign represents distinct ideologies and policy proposals, attracting voters' attention through various means. This study aims to identify the changing landscape of Bangladesh's election campaigns. While previous research has focused on the nature, purpose, cost, and impact of digital media on Bangladeshi campaigns, and voters' expectations about candidates and campaigns, this study investigates the historical trends and evolution of campaign strategies since Bangladesh's independence. Employing a mixed-methods approach in Sirajganj and Trishal upazilas, the study utilized a questionnaire survey (N=100) alongside key informant interviews with seven individuals directly involved in election-related activities. Data analysis using SPSS revealed an evolution of campaign strategies in Bangladesh since independence and assessed the utilization of digital media in both national and local elections. The study further explores the differences between campaign strategies at both national and local level elections and found that local elections take a community focused approach, tackling local pressing issues. This level of campaigning depends on neighborhood events, door-to-door canvassing, and grassroots mobilization. On the other hand, to reach a wider audience, national-level campaigns use broad mass media outreach, such as radio, television, and social media.