Dhaka, Bangladesh – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed victory in the country’s general election, marking the end of a 15-year period of rule by the Awami League. The BNP secured over 151 seats in the 300-seat parliament, a significant win exceeding their 2001 result of 193 seats, though still less than the Awami League’s 230 seats in 2008.
The Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, contesting for the first time since a 2013 ban, has emerged as a significant force, securing over 70 seats – its highest-ever tally. The ban, imposed after a court ruled its constitution conflicted with secular principles, was lifted following the ouster of the Awami League government in August 2024.
While conceding defeat late Thursday, Jamaat-e-Islami expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process and urged its supporters to remain patient. The party’s leader, Shafiqur Rahman, who won the Dhaka-15 seat, stated that his party would pursue “positive politics” and not engage in opposition “for the sake of it.”
The BNP’s victory was met with jubilant celebrations overnight in Dhaka, with supporters cheering and chanting slogans at the party headquarters. Voter turnout exceeded 42 percent, the figure from the previous election in 2024, with reports suggesting nearly 60 percent of registered voters participated in Thursday’s poll.
The election featured a record number of candidates – over 2,000, including many independents – representing at least 50 parties. Voting was postponed in one constituency due to the death of a candidate.
Alongside the parliamentary election, a referendum on constitutional reforms was held. Preliminary results, reported by Jamuna TV, indicate that over 2 million voters supported the proposed changes, while over 850,000 opposed them. Official results are pending.
The proposed constitutional reforms include establishing two-term limits for prime ministers, strengthening judicial independence and women’s representation, and providing for neutral interim governments during election periods. The reforms also propose the creation of a second house within the 300-seat parliament.
The rise of Jamaat-e-Islami is a notable development. Key leaders of the party secured victories in several constituencies, including Shafiqur Rahman in Dhaka-15, Mujibur Rahman in Rajshahi-1, and Mir Ahmad Bin Kasem – son of executed Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali – in Dhaka-14. Shahjahan Chowdhury won in Chattogram-15, and ATM Azharul Islam secured the Rangpur-2 seat.
The political landscape in Bangladesh has been dominated for decades by the Awami League, led until recently by Sheikh Hasina, and the BNP. Hasina, currently in exile in New Delhi, along with the mother of BNP leader Rahman, have been central figures in Bangladeshi politics. Rahman’s father was a leading figure in the country’s independence movement and served as prime minister from 1977 to 1981 before his assassination.
The BNP’s win marks a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics. The party was a crucial partner in a coalition government with Jamaat-e-Islami between 2001 and 2006, with two Jamaat leaders serving as ministers during that period. The re-emergence of Jamaat-e-Islami as a major political force, following its period of being banned, adds a new layer of complexity to the political landscape.
The election took place against a backdrop of heightened political tensions and concerns about democratic processes. The Awami League’s long tenure was marked by economic growth but also accusations of authoritarianism and suppression of dissent. The BNP campaigned on a platform of restoring democracy and addressing economic inequality.
The outcome of this election is likely to have significant implications for Bangladesh’s future, both domestically and internationally. The new government will face challenges including addressing economic concerns, maintaining social stability, and navigating regional geopolitical dynamics. The role of Jamaat-e-Islami within the new political order will also be closely watched, particularly given its history and ideology.
