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THE Bangladesh Nationalist Party has swept to a commanding two-thirds majority in Bangladesh’s first general election since the 2024 youth-driven uprising, winning 209 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, according to local television results.
Reuters reported today that the decisive outcome in Thursday’s parliamentary vote is widely viewed as a pivotal moment for the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million, which has endured months of unrest following the mass protests that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
Turnout was reported to have exceeded 60 per cent, significantly higher than the 42 per cent recorded in the last election in 2024.
More than 2,000 candidates contested the ballot, representing at least 50 parties in a record field. Voting in one constituency was postponed following the death of a candidate.
The BNP, led by prime ministerial contender Tarique Rahman, thanked voters after securing its majority and called for restraint among supporters.
"Despite winning the national parliamentary election by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised by BNP," the party said in a statement, urging citizens instead to offer prayers at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas for the country’s welfare.
Tarique Rahman, 60, is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman.
The party campaigned on pledges that included financial support for low-income families, a 10-year cap on an individual serving as prime minister, measures to attract foreign investment, and strengthened anti-corruption policies.
The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, the BNP’s principal rival, secured 68 seats through its alliance. Its leader, Shafiqur Rahman, conceded defeat and signalled a measured approach in opposition.
"We will do positive politics," he told reporters, adding that his party would not engage in opposition for its own sake.
The youth-led National Citizen Party, which played a prominent role in the movement that unseated Hasina and contested 30 constituencies as part of the Jamaat alliance, won five seats.
Although the election was described as Bangladesh’s first genuinely competitive poll in years, Hasina’s Awami League — which governed for more than 15 years until her removal — was barred from contesting.
From self-imposed exile in India, Hasina condemned the ballot in a statement issued after polling stations closed.
"We demand the cancellation of this voterless, illegal and unconstitutional election ... the removal of the suspension imposed on the activities of the Awami League, and the restoration of the people's voting rights through the arrangement of a free, fair, and inclusive election under a neutral caretaker government," she said, describing the process as a "carefully planned farce".
Critics of Hasina, however, have long alleged that elections held during her tenure were marred by boycotts and intimidation.
Alongside the parliamentary contest, voters participated in a referendum on sweeping constitutional reforms.
Proposals included the creation of a neutral interim administration during election periods, the restructuring of parliament into a bicameral legislature, increased representation for women, strengthened judicial independence, and the introduction of a two-term limit for the prime minister.
Local media reported that 73 per cent of nearly 296,000 votes cast in the referendum supported the reforms, though no official result has been released.
Isolated incidents of violence were reported on polling day.
Three people sustained minor injuries when an improvised explosive device detonated at a polling centre in Gopalganj district, approximately 100 kilometres south-west of Dhaka.
Senior police officer Md Sarwar Hossain said the explosion occurred at around 9am local time at the Reshma International School polling station.
"Peace and security are now fully under control and the voting process continued as usual at the centre," he said, adding that authorities believed the blast was intended to create panic and that investigations were under way to identify those responsible.
In a separate incident, a BNP local leader, Mohibuzzaman Kochi, died after allegedly being pushed and falling at another polling station.
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. Police said an investigation had been launched.
With more than 127 million registered voters eligible to cast ballots, the election marks a watershed for Bangladesh as it seeks to restore political stability and investor confidence following a turbulent year that disrupted daily life and key industries, including its vital garment sector. - February 13, 2026