The first session of the 13th parliament will begin on Thursday, raising expectations among people across the country for action on key economic and governance challenges.
Controlling prices of essential commodities, creating employment, improving law and order, and ensuring an extortion-free environment are seen as the most urgent priorities.
Citizens also want effective measures to curb corruption, ensure fair prices for farmers, adopt business-friendly policies, and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
Rabiul Islam, who earns his living pulling a rickshaw in the capital, said his family survives on his daily income and his expectations from the new parliament are simple.
“Prices of rice, lentils, oil and other essentials must come down. Also, we should not have to pay extortion while pulling rickshaws,” he said.
Entrepreneurs are also looking to the new parliament with hope.
Ashikur Rahman, entrepreneur of Future Path Skill and Job, said corruption must be reduced to improve the business and entrepreneurial environment.
“Entrepreneurs need easier access to loans and greater support. At the same time, maintaining stable law and order is essential,” he said.
Farmers in rural areas are also hoping for tangible change.
Shahjahan Ali Biswas, a marginal farmer from Chuadanga, said the costs of fertiliser, seeds and irrigation have increased while crop prices remain unchanged.
“Fair prices for farmers must be ensured. Better arrangements are also needed for crop storage,” he said.
For urban middle-class families, rising market prices remain the biggest concern.
Housewife Sajeda Khatun said increasing costs of essential goods have made running a household extremely difficult.
“Prices of rice, lentils, oil and gas have all increased. The new government must take effective steps to control essential commodity prices,” she said.
Young people also have high expectations from the new parliament.
Rasedul Islam, a first-year philosophy student at the University of Dhaka, said improving the quality of education and creating employment opportunities are key priorities.
“Transparency must be ensured in recruitment processes so that young people do not have to live with unemployment and uncertainty,” he said.
Junaid Iqbal, an employee of a private bank, said he expects the new parliament to work towards building a corruption-free Bangladesh.
“The government must take steps to prevent money laundering and control market irregularities,” he said.
Supreme Court senior lawyer Sarwar Ahmed emphasised implementing the July Charter and ensuring genuine judicial independence.
He said the biggest test for the new government would be keeping the judiciary free from political influence.
He also expressed hope that harassment cases and prolonged delays in justice seen in the past would not continue.
Sourav, from Abhaynagar in Jashore, now works as a cobbler in the capital.
He said he still does not know who has been elected as the member of parliament from his constituency but expects the new government to fulfil the promises made during the election.
“Prices of goods must come down. It has become very difficult to run a household. Also, the card the government promised should reach poor people like us,” he said.
Small trader Atowar Rahman said he hopes the government will adopt business-friendly policies.
“Access to loans is very important for small traders like us, so loans should be available on easy terms,” he said.
“At the same time, uninterrupted electricity supply must be ensured and effective steps taken to keep gas prices under control.”
BGMEA Vice-President Md Rezwan Selim said economic stability is essential to keep the economy moving.
“Problems in the port and banking sectors must be resolved quickly. We hope the new government will take steps to address these issues,” he said.
Bangladeshis living abroad also have expectations from the new government.
Expatriate Tanzid said migrants should not be viewed only as a source of remittance but treated as development partners.
They expect more active embassy services, an end to harassment at airports, opportunities for skill development, and structured support for reintegration after returning home.
Naeem Hasan, a postgraduate student in Human Science in Communication at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said strict measures are needed to curb extortion, terrorism and violence.
“At the same time, initiatives are needed to ensure swift justice in cases of violence against women and children, address traffic problems in the capital, and prevent market syndicates and food adulteration,” he said.
