After years of repression, Bangladesh's Islamist groups are mobilising ahead of February 12 elections, determined to gain a foothold in government as they sense their biggest opportunity in decades. 

The South Asian nation -- home to 170 million people, the vast majority Sunni Muslims -- is preparing for its first polls since the mass uprising that toppled the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.

Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.