Independent candidate Sharif Osman Hadi was critically injured in a daylight shooting in Dhaka just after election dates were announced.

On December 12, 2025, Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson for Inqilab Mancho and independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was critically injured in a daylight shooting in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area, reportedly by gunmen on a motorcycle. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital with a severe head wound and remained on life support. The attack, which occurred shortly after the Election Commission announced the national election and referendum for February 12, 2026, drew widespread condemnation from political leaders, including the Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus and BNP officials, who labeled it a threat to democracy. Protests erupted nationwide, including on university campuses, and authorities launched a major manhunt, with calls for justice and increased security ahead of the vote.