February 13, 2026, 2:40 p.mFebruary 13, 2026, 2:40 p.m
In the first parliamentary election in Bangladesh since the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina a year and a half ago, opposition politician Tarique Rahman and his center-right party won an overwhelming victory.
According to the State Election Commission, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured an absolute majority.
Tarique Rahman and his center-right party have claimed victory.Image: keystone
Observers saw Thursday’s early election as an important step towards stability in the South Asian country. At the same time, according to local media reports, the majority of voters approved a program of far-reaching political reforms in a referendum held at the same time.
India and Pakistan congratulated the BNP and its 60-year-old leader Rahman. The party had claimed victory early on. Thanks to its majority, it will form the next government, the party’s press office wrote on Platform X.
Test for democracy
After the bloody unrest in the summer of 2024, the election was also seen as a test for an orderly democratic transition in the predominantly Muslim country. Almost 128 million people were called upon to cast their vote.
“A big step for democratization, and the country can breathe a sigh of relief,” wrote South Asia expert Michael Kugelman on
After mass protests against the government and clashes between demonstrators and security forces, the increasingly authoritarian head of government Sheikh Hasina fled to India at the beginning of August 2024. After their escape, a transitional government was set up under Nobel Peace Prize winner Yunus.
Sheikh Hasina waves at a campaign rally in December 2023.Image: AP
In November, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by a criminal tribunal in her home country for crimes against humanity. The activities of her party Awami League are currently suspended and the organization was prohibited from fielding candidates for the election.
BNP with a clear majority
The BNP won in 209 of 297 constituencies where counting results were available, said Commission representative Akhter Ahmed in Dhaka. There would also be three seats for BNP partners. Accordingly, the BNP was followed by the country’s largest Islamist party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which led a conservative-religious alliance, with 68 seats.
Voters in front of a polling station in Dhaka on February 12, 2026.Image: EPA
The election was about the distribution of 350 parliamentary seats. Of these, 300 are directly elected, 50 seats are reserved for women. In two constituencies the results were initially withheld due to a court order. In another, voting was postponed. The voter turnout was 59 percent.
Comeback for the BNP
Rahman, who is a son of former prime minister and long-time Hasina rival Khaleda Zia, can hope to become the next head of government. The BNP leader only returned to his homeland from London in December after 17 years in exile.
Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Khaleda Zia (2017).Image: AP
At the same time, the election marked a comeback for the BNP, which is one of the largest parties in the country and was last in government from 2001 to 2006. Afterwards, it became increasingly marginalized along with the Jamaat-e-Islami during Hasina’s long rule. In recent years, she has repeatedly boycotted elections, including the vote in January 2024. She has repeatedly accused the Hasina party of electoral fraud.
Difficult tasks await Rahman
Difficult tasks await Rahman when he takes over as head of government. He must win the trust of the population and fulfill his campaign promises, especially to stimulate the economy and fight corruption. According to surveys before the election, rampant corruption is the biggest concern for the majority of the poor country’s approximately 175 million inhabitants. Critics also believe that Rahman does not have a proper understanding of domestic political reality due to his long time abroad.
Referendum on constitutional and legal changes
Parallel to the election, voters were asked to vote on a package of planned constitutional and legal changes. The plan includes, among other things, a limit on the term of office of the Prime Minister, the establishment of a second chamber of parliament and greater control of the government. Local media criticized that the extensive reform package was too complicated to simply vote on with a “yes” or “no”. Many voters would therefore not understand the content of the program.
India congratulates
In India, the election was closely watched given tensions between the two neighboring countries. In a congratulatory message to Rahman at (sda/dpa)