Bangladesh Election Results 2026: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide parliamentary election today, February 13, securing a resounding
mandate in a pivotal vote that is expected to restore political stability in the South Asian nation, news agency Reuters reported, citing local TV stations. It is pertinent to note that 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, a 10-year limit for an individual to remain prime minister, boosting the economy by measures including foreign investments, and anti-corruption policies. The polls, held on Thursday, was the country’s first since the 2024 Gen Z-led uprising that toppled long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina, the report added. A clear outcome had been seen as crucial for stability in the Muslim-majority country of 175 million after months of deadly anti-Hasina unrest disrupted everyday life and hit major industries, including the apparel sector in the world's second-largest garment exporter, the Reuters report said. Multiple media tallies showed the BNP had won more than 151 seats in the 300-seat parliament, PTI reported.
BNP Sweeps Win
Opinion polls had given BNP an edge and the party lived up to the forecasts, with the coalition it dominates winning 209 seats to secure an overwhelming two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, Jamuna TV showed.
Soon after it won a majority in the overnight vote-count, the party thanked and congratulated the people and called for special prayers on Friday for the welfare of the country and its people.
"Despite winning the national parliamentary election by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised by BNP," Reuters report said, citing the party’s statement.
2024 Bangladesh Protests
According to a PTI’s report on August 4, 2024, nearly 100 people, including 14 policemen, were killed and hundreds injured in fierce clashes between protesters demanding Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and the ruling party supporters in different parts of Bangladesh, forcing authorities to cut off mobile internet and enforce a nationwide curfew for an indefinite period.
The clashes broke out when protesters attending the non-cooperation programme under the banner of the Students Against Discrimination with the one-point demand of the government's resignation over a job quota system faced opposition from the supporters of the Awami League, Chhatra League, and Jubo League activists, the PTI report added.
At least 98 people have been killed in clashes, shootings and counter-chases across the country surrounding the non-cooperation program, leading Bengali-language newspaper Prothom Alo reported.
