This marks more than three decades since the country last held a constitutional referendum, highlighting the election’s significance for governance, legal reform, and political stability.

<p>This marks more than three decades since the country last held a constitutional referendum, highlighting the election’s significance for governance, legal reform, and political stability.</p>

Bangladesh Elections: Is Beijing set to strengthen its grip as India loses influence in Dhaka?

<p>Bangladesh is holding its 13th general election on February 12. These are the first polls since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following student-led protests in the country. More than 127 million people are eligible to vote in "the biggest democratic exercise of the year."<br>Nearly 15 million Bangladeshi expatriates will also be able to vote by post for the first time. However, unrest and violence are expected on the day of the elections. The current caretaker government is led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been the two main parties in the country. But this year, the former is banned since its members are on trial for the brutal crackdown on protests in 2024. The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami are the two main contenders this time. Here is what past elections in Bangladesh have been like.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, was part of the general elections held in December 1970. There were calls for independence for the Bengali majority. Pro-independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won almost all 162 seats in East Pakistan. But the Pakistani military government did not let it form the government, after which Rahman declared they would separate from Pakistan by 1971. The Pakistani Army went after activists, which led to the beginning of the Bangladeshi Liberation War from March to December 1971. Large-scale violence occurred, and nearly three million people lost their lives. The country gained independence, and Rahman became its first prime minister.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-election-2026-date-parties-seats-key-constituencies-1770717283208"><strong>Bangladesh election 2026: Date, seats, key parties, alliances and constituencies</strong></a></p><h2><strong>First post-independence election in Bangladesh</strong></h2><p>The first general election in Bangladesh after gaining independence from Pakistan was held in 1973. The Awami League (AL), led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won 293 of 300 seats. Mujib was accused of using wrongful means to win the elections, including rigging polls through ballot-stuffing and intimidating and arresting opposition leaders. Mujib used his position in power to ban all opposition parties in 1974.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>Rahman is assassinated in counter-coup</strong></h2><p><br>In 1975, Rahman and a family member were assassinated following a bloody coup led by Colonel Sayed Farooq-ur-Rahman. The military took control of the country, with Finance Minister Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad declaring himself president. Ahmad abolished the one-party system and permitted the formation of opposition parties. But he could not remain in power for long, as in November 1975, a counter-coup led by General Khaled Mosharraf, a loyalist of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ended his tenure. Chief Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem assumed the presidency with military backing, serving until April 1977, when he resigned citing health concerns. Army Chief Ziaur Rahman took the reins.</p><p>Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bangladesh-secures-trade-deal-with-us-tariff-reduced-to-19-with-some-key-exemptions-1770687911243"><strong>Bangladesh secures trade deal with US, tariff reduced to 19%: What are the key points</strong></a></p><h2><strong>1979 elections</strong></h2><p><br>Ziaur Rahman's newly formed Bangladesh National Party (BNP) won the first polls since 1979, winning 207 out of 300 parliamentary seats. &nbsp;The Awami League won only 39 and alleged that the elections were rigged. Ziaur was assassinated in an abortive military coup on May 30, 1981.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>1986 and 1988 elections</strong></h2><p><br>BNP won 65 per cent of the vote in 1981, but Army chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad seized power in a bloodless coup in March 1982, imposing martial law.&nbsp;The next elections were held in May 1986, and his Jatiya Party won 183 seats. Opposition parties boycotted the elections. Elections were again held in 1988, and the Jatiya Party won 259 seats.&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>1991 - Bangladesh gets its first female prime minister</strong></h2><p><br>BNP and the Awami League came together to force Ershad to resign in 1991. Ziaur’s widow, Khaleda Zia, led the BNP, while Sheikh Hasina, the eldest of Rahman’s two surviving daughters, led the Awami League. Fresh elections were held on February 27, 1991. BNP won 140 seats, and Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh’s first female prime minister.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>1996 - Hasina becomes Prime Minister</strong></h2><p><br>Relations between the ruling BNP and the Awami League became tense following a parliamentary by-election for the Magura-2 constituency. BNP was accused of rigging the elecions and Zia was pressured to resign. All opposition parties boycotted the February 15, 1996, election, handing BNP a near-unanimous victory. But BNP had to hand over power to a caretaker government after just 12 days. Another election was held on June 12, and Hasina became the prime minister.</p><h2><strong>2001 - BNP returns to power</strong></h2><p><br>In 2001, BNP regained power, and Khaleda Zia formed a government for a second time. Ahead of the January 2007 polls, the BNP, the opposition Awami League, and others butted heads over a caretaker government. BNP named a retired chief justice with ties to Zia, leading to riots. BNP-appointed president, Iajuddin Ahmed, finally became the leader. Later, more riots occurred when news broke that fake names had been included on the list of candidates.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-election-jamaat-e-islami-coalition-challenges-bnp-1770724292234/embed</p><h2><strong>2008 - Hasina wins again</strong></h2><p><br>The elections finally happened on December 29, 2008. The Awami League, led by Hasina, entered alliances to form the government. Hasina returned to power for the second time in 2009. But the party was not happy with the military for causing a delay in the elections. So Hasina amended the constitution remove the caretaker government requirement. Her government also cracked down against opposition leaders in 2014, and &nbsp;Zia was placed under house arrest. There was widespread violence, and the BNP and its supporters refused to participate in the elections, handing Hasina another victory.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>2018 - Awami League-Jatiya Party alliance</strong></h2><p><br>The next elections on December 30, 2018 and the ruling Awami League-Jatiya Party coalition were accused of rigging. There were reports of violence against opposition BNP members. The Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamic party, was banned, and several of its leaders were executed. Khaleda Zia was convicted and handed a 17-year jail term in a corruption case, resulting in her being barred from the elections. The Awami League-Jatiya Party alliance won more than 90 per cent of seats.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>2024 - Hasina wins and is removed following violent protests</strong></h2><p><br>The last election under Hasina’s administration was held on January 7, 2024. By this time, she was seen to have almost full control over the electoral commission. Opposition BNP boycotted the elections, and Jamaat was still banned, which gave Hasina another term in office. In July, &nbsp;mass protests led by students broke out over a job quota system. The demonstrations turned violen,t and nearly 1,400 people died. Hasina fled the country on August 5. On August 8, Muhammad Yunus became the interim leader of Bangladesh.<br>&nbsp;</p>

Bangladesh general elections 2026: Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are facing off in the country's first general elections since Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Here is what the past elections have looked like in the country.

Bangladesh is holding its 13th general election on February 12. These are the first polls since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following student-led protests in the country. More than 127 million people are eligible to vote in "the biggest democratic exercise of the year." Nearly 15 million Bangladeshi expatriates will also be able to vote by post for the first time. However, unrest and violence are expected on the day of the elections. The current caretaker government is led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have been the two main parties in the country. But this year, the former is banned since its members are on trial for the brutal crackdown on protests in 2024. The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami are the two main contenders this time. Here is what past elections in Bangladesh have been like. Bangladesh, formerly East Pakistan, was part of the general elections held in December 1970. There were calls for independence for the Bengali majority. Pro-independence leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League won almost all 162 seats in East Pakistan. But the Pakistani military government did not let it form the government, after which Rahman declared they would separate from Pakistan by 1971. The Pakistani Army went after activists, which led to the beginning of the Bangladeshi Liberation War from March to December 1971. Large-scale violence occurred, and nearly three million people lost their lives. The country gained independence, and Rahman became its first prime minister. Also Read: Bangladesh election 2026: Date, seats, key parties, alliances and constituencies First post-independence election in Bangladesh The first general election in Bangladesh after gaining independence from Pakistan was held in 1973. The Awami League (AL), led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won 293 of 300 seats. Mujib was accused of using wrongful means to win the elections, including rigging polls through ballot-stuffing and intimidating and arresting opposition leaders. Mujib used his position in power to ban all opposition parties in 1974. Rahman is assassinated in counter-coup In 1975, Rahman and a family member were assassinated following a bloody coup led by Colonel Sayed Farooq-ur-Rahman. The military took control of the country, with Finance Minister Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad declaring himself president. Ahmad abolished the one-party system and permitted the formation of opposition parties. But he could not remain in power for long, as in November 1975, a counter-coup led by General Khaled Mosharraf, a loyalist of the late Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ended his tenure. Chief Justice Abu Sadat Mohammad Sayem assumed the presidency with military backing, serving until April 1977, when he resigned citing health concerns. Army Chief Ziaur Rahman took the reins. Also Read: Bangladesh secures trade deal with US, tariff reduced to 19%: What are the key points 1979 elections Ziaur Rahman's newly formed Bangladesh National Party (BNP) won the first polls since 1979, winning 207 out of 300 parliamentary seats. The Awami League won only 39 and alleged that the elections were rigged. Ziaur was assassinated in an abortive military coup on May 30, 1981. 1986 and 1988 elections BNP won 65 per cent of the vote in 1981, but Army chief Hussain Muhammad Ershad seized power in a bloodless coup in March 1982, imposing martial law. The next elections were held in May 1986, and his Jatiya Party won 183 seats. Opposition parties boycotted the elections. Elections were again held in 1988, and the Jatiya Party won 259 seats. 1991 - Bangladesh gets its first female prime minister BNP and the Awami League came together to force Ershad to resign in 1991. Ziaur’s widow, Khaleda Zia, led the BNP, while Sheikh Hasina, the eldest of Rahman’s two surviving daughters, led the Awami League. Fresh elections were held on February 27, 1991. BNP won 140 seats, and Khaleda Zia became Bangladesh’s first female prime minister. 1996 - Hasina becomes Prime Minister Relations between the ruling BNP and the Awami League became tense following a parliamentary by-election for the Magura-2 constituency. BNP was accused of rigging the elecions and Zia was pressured to resign. All opposition parties boycotted the February 15, 1996, election, handing BNP a near-unanimous victory. But BNP had to hand over power to a caretaker government after just 12 days. Another election was held on June 12, and Hasina became the prime minister. 2001 - BNP returns to power In 2001, BNP regained power, and Khaleda Zia formed a government for a second time. Ahead of the January 2007 polls, the BNP, the opposition Awami League, and others butted heads over a caretaker government. BNP named a retired chief justice with ties to Zia, leading to riots. BNP-appointed president, Iajuddin Ahmed, finally became the leader. Later, more riots occurred when news broke that fake names had been included on the list of candidates. https://www.wionews.com/videos/bangladesh-election-jamaat-e-islami-coalition-challenges-bnp-1770724292234/embed 2008 - Hasina wins again The elections finally happened on December 29, 2008. The Awami League, led by Hasina, entered alliances to form the government. Hasina returned to power for the second time in 2009. But the party was not happy with the military for causing a delay in the elections. So Hasina amended the constitution remove the caretaker government requirement. Her government also cracked down against opposition leaders in 2014, and Zia was placed under house arrest. There was widespread violence, and the BNP and its supporters refused to participate in the elections, handing Hasina another victory. 2018 - Awami League-Jatiya Party alliance The next elections on December 30, 2018 and the ruling Awami League-Jatiya Party coalition were accused of rigging. There were reports of violence against opposition BNP members. The Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamic party, was banned, and several of its leaders were executed. Khaleda Zia was convicted and handed a 17-year jail term in a corruption case, resulting in her being barred from the elections. The Awami League-Jatiya Party alliance won more than 90 per cent of seats. 2024 - Hasina wins and is removed following violent protests The last election under Hasina’s administration was held on January 7, 2024. By this time, she was seen to have almost full control over the electoral commission. Opposition BNP boycotted the elections, and Jamaat was still banned, which gave Hasina another term in office. In July, mass protests led by students broke out over a job quota system. The demonstrations turned violen,t and nearly 1,400 people died. Hasina fled the country on August 5. On August 8, Muhammad Yunus became the interim leader of Bangladesh.

<p>Bangladesh general elections 2026: Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) are facing off in the country's first general elections since Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Here is what the past elections have looked like in the country.</p>

Bangladesh general elections 2026: A look at the South Asian country's previous elections

Jamaat-e-Islami has long remained a polarising presence in Bangladesh politics. The party opposed Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971, a stance that has shaped its controversial legacy.

<p>Jamaat-e-Islami has long remained a polarising presence in Bangladesh politics. The party opposed Bangladesh’s independence from Pakistan in 1971, a stance that has shaped its controversial legacy.</p>

Bangladesh Elections: Could Jamaat-e-Islami’s rise push Dhaka closer to Pakistan and the muslim world?

<p>Bangladesh is going to hold elections on February 12, 2026. More than one and a half years have passed since the violent protests that resulted in the ousting of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Since then, the country has been governed by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. He is now facilitating the election in the capacity of the Chief Advisor and is also overseeing a referendum on the July Charter. July Charter finds its roots in the protests of 2024, and the Constitution Reform Commission, which is proposing anti corruption mechanism, electoral reforms, among other policies to remove the “autocratic structures” from Bangladesh's politics.</p><h2>When is the Bangladesh election?</h2><p>About 127 million registered voters are going to cast their votes for 1,981 candidates. The polling will begin from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm, on February 12, 2026. Counting of votes will commence from 4 pm on February 12, and the result is expected to be announced by the Election Commission in the early morning of February 13.</p><h2>How many seats are there in Bangladesh's parliament?</h2><p>There are 350 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad ( Parliament of Bangladesh), each of whom serve five year terms. Among them, 300 will be directly elected, and 50 others are reserved for women. They will be proportionally elected by the coalitions and parties, depending on their respective vote shares. The majority mark is 151; any party or coalition which gets 151 seats wins the election.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tasnim-jara-bangladesh-election-independent-oxford-graduate-1770144100452"><strong>Who is Tasnim Jara? Oxford-educated doctor takes on Bangladesh's politics as independent candidate</strong></a></p><h2>Key parties and alliances in the Bangladesh election</h2><p>The two leading alliances are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its coalition of 10 parties; &nbsp;Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB) and its coalition of 11 parties, including National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from the July protest. The BNP is led by Tarique Rahman, the son of the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and Shafiqur Rahman is leading the JIB and its alliance. Apart from the two major power blocs, Islami Andolan Bangladesh broke away from the JIB and the Jatiya Party, an ally of Hasina's Awami league is running independently after the ban. The Jatiya Party chief GM Quader is leading an alliance of 18 parties, the National Democratic Front (NDF). Then there is the Left coalition of Democratic United Front (DUF), comprising mainly the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (SPB) and is led by Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan. The BNP is competing in 288 seats, the JIB and 11-party alliance is competing in 298 seats, and the Islamic Andolan will be contesting 253 seats. According to a survey by the US-based International Republican Institute, BNP is tentatively leading the polls with 33 per cent respondent, closely followed by the Jammat.</p><h2>Key constituencies in the Bangladesh election&nbsp;</h2><p>BNP Chief Tarique Rahman has filed nomination from the Dhaka 17 constituency after returning from an exile of 17 years, and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has submitted papers from Thakurgaon-1. JIB chief Shafiqur Rahman filed nomination from Dhaka-15, and JIB Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar filed nomination from Khulna-5. JIB-backed Hindu candidate Krishna Nandy submitted his nomination from Khulna-1. The Jaitya Party chief &nbsp;GM Quader is contesting from Rangpur-3, while Secretary General Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary is contesting from Gaibandha-1 and Gaibandha-5. The DUF leadership, Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, is contesting from Narsingdi-4. Historically, Gopalganj-3 &amp; Faridpur have been a stronghold of the Awami League. Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti, a regional party of Jumma people (Tibetian Budhhist) are contesting from the three constituencies of Chittagong Hill Tract. Dhaka 12 is the constituency with largest number of candidates 15, Ghazipur 2 is the largest constituency with 804,333 voters. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Bangladesh votes on February 12, 2026, with 127 million voters choosing 300 MPs. Here’s everything about parties, alliances, key seats and the July Charter referendum.

Bangladesh is going to hold elections on February 12, 2026. More than one and a half years have passed since the violent protests that resulted in the ousting of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. Since then, the country has been governed by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. He is now facilitating the election in the capacity of the Chief Advisor and is also overseeing a referendum on the July Charter. July Charter finds its roots in the protests of 2024, and the Constitution Reform Commission, which is proposing anti corruption mechanism, electoral reforms, among other policies to remove the “autocratic structures” from Bangladesh's politics. When is the Bangladesh election? About 127 million registered voters are going to cast their votes for 1,981 candidates. The polling will begin from 7.30 am to 4.30 pm, on February 12, 2026. Counting of votes will commence from 4 pm on February 12, and the result is expected to be announced by the Election Commission in the early morning of February 13. How many seats are there in Bangladesh's parliament? There are 350 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad ( Parliament of Bangladesh), each of whom serve five year terms. Among them, 300 will be directly elected, and 50 others are reserved for women. They will be proportionally elected by the coalitions and parties, depending on their respective vote shares. The majority mark is 151; any party or coalition which gets 151 seats wins the election. Also Read: Who is Tasnim Jara? Oxford-educated doctor takes on Bangladesh's politics as independent candidate Key parties and alliances in the Bangladesh election The two leading alliances are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its coalition of 10 parties; Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB) and its coalition of 11 parties, including National Citizen Party (NCP), which emerged from the July protest. The BNP is led by Tarique Rahman, the son of the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and Shafiqur Rahman is leading the JIB and its alliance. Apart from the two major power blocs, Islami Andolan Bangladesh broke away from the JIB and the Jatiya Party, an ally of Hasina's Awami league is running independently after the ban. The Jatiya Party chief GM Quader is leading an alliance of 18 parties, the National Democratic Front (NDF). Then there is the Left coalition of Democratic United Front (DUF), comprising mainly the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (SPB) and is led by Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan. The BNP is competing in 288 seats, the JIB and 11-party alliance is competing in 298 seats, and the Islamic Andolan will be contesting 253 seats. According to a survey by the US-based International Republican Institute, BNP is tentatively leading the polls with 33 per cent respondent, closely followed by the Jammat. Key constituencies in the Bangladesh election BNP Chief Tarique Rahman has filed nomination from the Dhaka 17 constituency after returning from an exile of 17 years, and BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has submitted papers from Thakurgaon-1. JIB chief Shafiqur Rahman filed nomination from Dhaka-15, and JIB Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar filed nomination from Khulna-5. JIB-backed Hindu candidate Krishna Nandy submitted his nomination from Khulna-1. The Jaitya Party chief GM Quader is contesting from Rangpur-3, while Secretary General Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary is contesting from Gaibandha-1 and Gaibandha-5. The DUF leadership, Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan, is contesting from Narsingdi-4. Historically, Gopalganj-3 & Faridpur have been a stronghold of the Awami League. Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti, a regional party of Jumma people (Tibetian Budhhist) are contesting from the three constituencies of Chittagong Hill Tract. Dhaka 12 is the constituency with largest number of candidates 15, Ghazipur 2 is the largest constituency with 804,333 voters.

<p>Bangladesh votes on February 12, 2026, with 127 million voters choosing 300 MPs. Here’s everything about parties, alliances, key seats and the July Charter referendum.</p>

Bangladesh election 2026: Date, seats, key parties, alliances and constituencies

It will be the first national poll since the 2024 mass uprising that led to the removal of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, signalling a pivotal shift in the country’s political landscape. 

<p>It will be the first national poll since the 2024 mass uprising that led to the removal of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, signalling a pivotal shift in the country’s political landscape.&nbsp;</p>

Gen-Z & Bangladesh elections: How a quarter of voters could reshape post-Hasina politics & become kingmakers in a historic poll

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bangladesh elections-2026

Bangladesh Elections: Is Beijing set to strengthen its grip as India loses influence in Dhaka?

Bangladesh elections 2026: A look at South Asian country's previous elections

Could Jamaat-e-Islami’s rise push Bangladesh closer to Pakistan & muslim world?

Bangladesh election 2026: Date, seats, key parties, alliances and constituencies

Gen-Z & Bangladesh polls: How quarter of voters could upend post-Hasina politics