Voting Schedule and Process
The 13th parliamentary elections in Bangladesh are scheduled to commence on Thursday, with polling stations opening their doors at 7:30 AM local time and
closing at 4:30 PM. A total of 42,779 polling centers will be operational across 299 constituencies, though voting in the Sherpur-3 constituency has been deferred due to the unfortunate passing of a candidate. This election marks the first national poll since the student-led protests in 2024 led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Campaigning officially concluded on Tuesday morning. The electoral landscape is complex, with over 12.77 crore eligible voters, including those registered for postal ballots, both domestically and internationally. Notably, this is the inaugural introduction of a postal voting system, designed to accommodate Bangladesh's substantial overseas population of nearly 15 million, whose financial contributions are vital to the nation's economy. Bangladesh operates with a unicameral legislature, the Jatiyo Sangsad, comprising 350 constituencies. For 300 of these seats, the election employs a first-past-the-post system, while the remaining 50 seats are specifically reserved for women.
Major Parties and Candidates
Among the key contenders in the upcoming Bangladeshi elections is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which leads a coalition of ten parties. The BNP is spearheaded by Tarique Rahman, a 60-year-old leader who has returned to Bangladesh after a 17-year period of self-imposed exile in London. As the son of the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Rahman has pledged to focus on job creation, bolstering law and order, and expanding freedom of speech within the country. His mother, Khaleda Zia, gained significant political traction in the 1990s following the assassination of her husband, Ziaur Rahman, in 1981. She served as Bangladesh's first female prime minister from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. During these tenures, the BNP often found an ally in Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB), contrasting with Sheikh Hasina's Awami League. Another prominent political entity is Jamaat-e-Islami, often referred to simply as Jamaat, which represents a coalition of eleven parties, including the Nationalist Citizen Party (NCP), a student-led movement. Jamaat is positioned as a significant challenger to Tarique Rahman's BNP, and is led by 67-year-old Shafiqur Rahman. The NCP itself is a formation of students who were instrumental in the protests against the Hasina administration in 2024. Historically, Jamaat faced a ban after the Bangladesh Liberation War due to its opposition to independence from Pakistan in 1971. However, the ban was later rescinded by the BNP, leading to Jamaat's alliance with Khaleda Zia's party when it held power in 1991 and 2006.
Opinion Polls and Predictions
Recent polling data offers insights into the potential electoral landscape. A survey conducted in December 2025 by the International Republican Institute (IRI), a US-based organization, indicated that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) held the support of 33 percent of respondents. Close on its heels was Jamaat-e-Islami, which secured 29 percent support in the same IRI survey. These figures suggest a closely contested election, with the two main blocs demonstrating significant backing among the electorate. The provided data from this poll offers an early indication of voter sentiment, though election outcomes can be influenced by various factors as the election approaches. The relative strengths indicated by these polls will be a key point of interest as election results begin to emerge.
Election Results Timeline
In past elections, preliminary results from Bangladesh polls typically began to surface the morning following the vote. However, officials from the Bangladesh Election Commission have indicated that the tabulation of results for the upcoming election might extend beyond the usual timeframe. This potential delay is attributed to the dual nature of the ballots this year, which will include votes for the parliamentary elections alongside those for a referendum on the July National Charter. The complete results are anticipated to be officially declared by the afternoon of February 13th, according to election authorities. The increased number of participating parties and candidates in this election cycle further contributes to the possibility that the final vote tally could take longer than expected to be compiled and announced.
Historical Election Outcomes
Examining past election results provides valuable context for understanding the current political dynamics in Bangladesh. In the 2001 elections, out of 300 total seats, the Awami League secured 62 seats, the BNP won 193, and Jamaat obtained 17. Fast forward to 2008, with 345 total seats, the Awami League achieved a commanding victory with 266 seats, the BNP secured 35, and Jamaat took 2. The 2014 elections, also with 345 seats, saw the Awami League win 273 seats, while the BNP boycotted the polls; Jamaat's seat count is not specified. Similarly, in 2018, across 350 total seats, the Awami League garnered 300 seats, the BNP won 7, and Jamaat did not secure any seats. The 2024 elections, with 350 total seats, again resulted in the Awami League winning 272 seats, with the BNP boycotting the polls and Jamaat's seat count not being listed. These historical trends highlight significant shifts in electoral support over the years and the impact of party participation, particularly concerning election boycotts.
