The 13th National Parliament election occurred on 12 February 2026 under an interim government established following the end of the Hasina regime. Many observers considered this election among the first in Bangladesh’s history to be widely regarded as free and fair. What have recent Bangladeshi elections looked like, and what is expected under the new regime?

Background

The Bangladesh Awami League (Awami League), a political party that espouses secularism, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, came to power in 2008 following a controversial election. Since then, all national parliamentary elections held until 2024 have been described by critics as one-sided, with the Awami League retaining power through unfair means. For instance, since 1991, national parliament elections have been held under a non-partisan interim administration known as the caretaker government. This body would assume power for three months at the end of a government’s five-year term. Its responsibility was to organize a free and fair election within that period and hand over power to the elected representatives. However, the caretaker system was abolished in 2011. From then on, elections were held under the incumbent political party.

The alliance of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a nationalist political party, and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (Jamaat), the largest Islamic political party in Bangladesh, boycotted the 10th National Parliament election in 2014, demanding that it be held under a caretaker government. As a result, the Awami League returned to power in a largely uncontested election. Although the BNP–Jamaat alliance participated in the 11th National Parliament election in 2018, the Awami League retained power amid allegations of widespread irregularities. The alliance then boycotted the 12th National Parliament election held in 2024.

After the Awami League retained power in the 12th National Parliament election held on 7 January 2024, it was removed from office on 5 August 2024, following three months of student-led quota reform protests from 6 June to 5 August. A neutral interim government subsequently took over under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus. The main duty of the interim government was to implement necessary reforms and arrange a free and fair election. Following the completion of the election process, it decided to hand over power to the elected representatives. Thus, the 13th National Parliament election was held, in which the BNP secured an absolute majority and formed the government.

In the 2001, 2008, and 2018 elections, the BNP and Jamaat formed alliances against the Awami League. However, in the 12 February election, they contested separately. As the Awami League was barred from participating, both the BNP and Jamaat formed separate alliances and competed against each other. Jamaat formed an alliance with 10 other small parties, which they named the 11-Party Alliance. The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), established after the fall of the Hasina regime on 5 August 2024, joined this alliance led by Jamaat. Meanwhile, the BNP also formed alliances with several smaller parties. Other small parties and independent candidates contested the election separately.The results showed that the BNP won 211 out of 300 parliamentary seats, while Jamaat secured 68 seats. The newly formed NCP won six seats. The remaining seats were secured by other parties and independent candidates.

The results indicate that the BNP alliance holds the most seats, followed by the Jamaat alliance. Therefore, the BNP formed the government, and Jamaat became the main opposition party in parliament. With a two-thirds majority, the BNP assumed power with a strong mandate. It is also the first time since 1991 that both the prime minister and the opposition leader are male. From 1991 to 2024, both positions were held by women. In addition, this is the first national parliament election in Bangladesh’s history in which the Bangladesh Awami League did not participate, as the interim government banned its political activities, including participation in the election.

Aftermath of 2026 Elections

The oath-taking ceremony for the prime minister, ministers, and members of parliament was held on 17 February 2026. Members of parliament took their oath in the morning, while the prime minister and ministers were sworn in later in the day. BNP Chairman Mr. Tarique Rahman became the prime minister, while the Ameer (Chief) of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, became the leader of the opposition.

Tarique Rahman is the son of the late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Ziaur Rahman, a former military officer, founded the BNP in 1978 and was assassinated on 30 May 1981 by a group of military officers. Khaleda Zia assumed party leadership on 10 May 1984 and passed away on 30 December 2025 after a prolonged illness. During the Hasina regime, she was arrested and reportedly denied adequate medical treatment. Following her death, Tarique Rahman became the party's leader.

Although Jamaat placed second, it achieved its highest number of parliamentary seats to date. In the 1979 National Parliament election, Jamaat won six seats, increasing to ten in 1986 and eighteen in 1991, before declining to three in 1996. In 2001, as part of the Four-Party Alliance with the BNP, Jamaat secured seventeen seats, but its representation dropped to two seats in 2008. The current results represent a significant increase in its parliamentary presence.

At the same time, the BNP, now in government, faces significant challenges. Many citizens are waiting to see whether it will fulfil the commitments it made before the election.

A referendum was conducted concurrently with the national parliament election. A majority “Yes” vote required the government to implement four major reformations including: The caretaker government, the Election Commission and other constitutional institutions will be formed considering the process outlined in the July Charter; The next National Parliament will be bicameral (two-room parliament system) and an upper house with 100 members will be formed in proportion to the votes received by the parties in the National Parliament elections, and amendments to the constitution will require the approval of a majority of the members of the upper house; Political parties winning the next parliamentary elections will be obliged to implement the 30 issues agreed upon in the July National Charter, including increasing women's representation in parliament, electing deputy speakers and parliamentary committee chairmen from the opposition, fundamental rights, independence of the judiciary, local government, the term of the Prime Minister, and the powers of the President; and Other reforms outlined in the July National Charter will be implemented according to the commitments of political parties. A “No” majority would have released the government from these obligations. Over 68 percent of voters supported the “Yes” option, mandating the government to enact the proposed reforms. With a two-thirds parliamentary majority, the BNP possesses the constitutional authority to amend the constitution.

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