The verdict given by the majority of Bangladeshi voters in the February 12 general elections is unprecedented. By securing more than 200 seats in the 300-member national assembly, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) will get a two-thirds majority, while the Islamic alliance led by Jamaat-i-Islami and the National Citizens Party (NCP) will have around 68 seats, depriving them of the status of playing a strong opposition. With the Awami League not allowed to contest the polls, the field was open for its former opponents to sweep the elections.

Both Jamaat-i-Islami and the BNP faced the wrath of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from 2008 onwards, when the Awami League came to power, until August 2024, when it was overthrown as a result of a popular revolt led by the students. But both Jamaat and the BNP, who were allies from 2001 till 2024, parted ways and contested the elections separately.

Tarique Rehman, the son of former President Zia-ur-Rehman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who remained in exile from 2008 till December 2025, will assume power with a two-thirds majority in the national assembly of Bangladesh. A majority of voters also approved the referendum which was held along with the general elections. Based on the ‘July Charter,’ the referendum will pave the way for constitutional reforms like a ban on seeking more than two terms for the Prime Minister; it will allow the formation of a caretaker government before general elections and, among other things, will introduce a bicameral parliament, enhance presidential powers, and ensure judicial independence. It is another issue whether the BNP, which is against putting a restriction on more than two terms for a prime minister, will accept that item approved in the referendum or, with its two-thirds majority, try to delete that constitutional change.

If the BNP fails to learn lessons from its past blunders, one can expect a surge of polarization and schism in society

If the BNP fails to learn lessons from its past blunders, one can expect a surge of polarization and schism in society

It is a matter of embarrassment for the NCP that it spearheaded the youth revolt against Sheikh Hasina, which led to a regime change, but the results of the February 12 general elections reflected its poor performance. It is anticipated by opponents that the BNP, with its two-thirds majority, will replace the Awami League as a corrupt and authoritarian government. Had the Jamaat-NCP alliance secured more than 100 seats, they would have played the role of a powerful opposition, but the BNP manipulated the Awami League’s absence from the polls and got the support of its voters in its favour. It is yet to be seen what price the BNP will pay for seeking the support of the Awami League in terms of restoring normal relations with India and lenient treatment of Sheikh Hasina.

According to CNN, “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 and urged people to pray at mosques, temples, churches and pagodas across the country. The BNP is led by top prime ministerial contender Tarique Rahman, the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman. Its campaign promises included financial aid for poor families, boosting the economy by measures including foreign investments, and anti-corruption policies.”

Furthermore, “Shafiqur Rahman, the head of BNP’s main rival, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, conceded defeat, with his party-led alliance on just 68 seats. Rahman said Jamaat would not engage in the “politics of opposition” for the sake of it. “We will do positive politics,” he told reporters. The National Citizens Party (NCP), led by youth activists who were instrumental in toppling Hasina and was a part of the Jamaat-led alliance, won just five of 30 seats it contested.”

It seems that with the acceptance of defeat by the Jamaat-led alliance, the BNP will get adequate space to run its government with Tarique Rehman as the Prime Minister. The BNP has tried to express its gratitude to voters by not going for widespread celebrations and will focus on its agenda, which includes political stability, good governance, and the rule of law. While earlier elections which led to the victory of the Awami League in 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2024 were controversial with allegations of widespread rigging and fraud, the February 2026 elections were different. Although both the BNP and the Jamaat-led alliance raised allegations of malpractices and rigging, later on, they accepted the election results.

If Bangladeshi voters have called it a day on the February 12, 2026 elections, it means enormous challenges for the BNP and other political parties, and an end to a fascist mode of governance as was reflected during the era of the Awami League. One needs to examine the outcome of the elections in Bangladesh from three sides. First, after the Monsoon Revolution of August 2024, it took 18 months to hold elections under the caretaker government of Dr Mohammad Yunus. It was a big challenge for the caretaker government to hold elections without the participation of the Awami League, which ruled Bangladesh for 25 years out of its existence of 55 years. Commenting on the outcome of the elections, Dr Mohammad Yunus remarked that the verdict of the people rejected the dark era of the Awami League. The military of Bangladesh also played a pivotal role in helping the caretaker government in holding the February 12 elections in a smooth manner.

While it was expected that there would be a neck-to-neck fight between the BNP and the alliance of Islamic parties, the results have been astonishing. It was expected that the BNP would get a simple majority, but it got a two-thirds majority, which has raised questions about the fairness of the elections. Gallup polls had anticipated the BNP to get 34% and the alliance of Islamic parties 33% of votes. But that has not happened. The reason for the poor performance of the Jamaat-led alliance is its exclusion of women candidates for contesting elections. Jamaat didn’t field a single woman candidate, which alienated female voters, and its Amir ruled out a woman heading the government. Second, it is argued that the caretaker government and the military gave tacit support to the BNP because they trusted that political party more than the Islamic parties. The support of the Awami League and Hindu voters for the BNP may also have contributed to its election sweep. Furthermore, the BNP had a sympathy vote because of the death of the two-time Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who faced relentless persecution during the rule of Sheikh Hasina.

The return of Tarique Rehman from exile and his apology to the people for his past mistakes may have also helped the BNP to gather popular votes. Whatever may have been the reason for the landmark victory of the BNP in the February 12 elections, it is certain that Tarique Rehman played a pivotal role in getting the support from the majority of voters. Finally, election results also prove that Bangladeshi voters have expressed their verdict without any fear or compulsion, as was the case in previous elections held during the Awami League era. Now, once the elections are over, it is time for the BNP and the Jamaat-led alliance to focus on their country’s well-being and development. Moreover, the result of the referendum will also matter in the post-election scenario. If the BNP tries to scuttle the result of the referendum by using its two-thirds majority in the assembly, it would mean the outbreak of another crisis.

Charges of corruption and nepotism against the BNP, particularly against Tarique Zia, have been withdrawn by the caretaker government, but still, he has not got a clean chit. If the BNP fails to learn lessons from its past blunders, one can expect a surge of polarisation and schism in the politics of Bangladesh. In that case, violence will again destabilise Bangladesh. Most importantly, the BNP will have to settle the issue of the de facto ban over the Awami League, particularly when Dhaka has officially asked for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. If the BNP compromises on that issue in order to appease India and Awami League supporters, it will further question its credibility. Perhaps the first 100 days of the BNP in power will prove how serious it is to implement its pledges made to voters during the election campaign.

© The Friday Times