Bangladesh Election: Dhaka at a Crossroads as Division Deepens
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus cast his ballot in the 13th general election and referendum on the July National Charter at the Gulshan Model School and College centre in Dhaka/ (Image Yunus on X)
Bangladesh 13th Parliamentary Election Deepens Political Divide as BNP, Jamaat and Awami League Trade Charges
By NIRENDRA DEV
New Delhi, February 12, 2026 — The Bangladesh 13th Parliamentary Election has opened a new chapter in Dhaka’s volatile political landscape, with the Jamaat-e-Islami-led 11-party alliance describing the voting process as “excellent” and expressing confidence of securing a “landslide victory.”
At a press conference held at Jamaat-e-Islami’s central office in Dhaka, leaders of the alliance acknowledged “isolated incidents of violence and irregularities” but maintained that the overall process reflected strong public participation.
The sharply contrasting reaction came from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who rejected the polls outright. In a statement issued after voting concluded, Hasina termed the exercise “a carefully planned farce.”
“Today’s so-called election organised by Yunus, who took power through illegal and unconstitutional means, was essentially a carefully planned farce,” Hasina said.
She demanded “the cancellation of this voterless, illegal, and unconstitutional election; the resignation of Yunus; the withdrawal of false cases and the release of all political prisoners… and the restoration of the people’s voting rights through a free, fair, and inclusive election under a neutral caretaker government.”
A Reshaped Political Battlefield
As Dhaka-based The Daily Star noted, the fall of the Awami League dramatically altered Bangladesh’s electoral arithmetic. With its registration suspended and party activities restricted over allegations linked to past unrest, constituencies long dominated by the AL opened up for fresh contests.
For decades, the BNP and Awami League alternated power since 1991. However, the political balance fractured during the last three controversial elections — particularly 2014 and 2024, which were largely boycotted by opposition forces, and 2018, marred by ballot-stuffing allegations.
Now, the BNP’s principal challenger appears to be the Jamaat-led bloc. Professor Al Masud Hasanuzzaman of Jahangirnagar University told Daily Star that while BNP has room to expand beyond its traditional bastions, victory depends heavily on candidate selection, campaign discipline and voter mobilisation.
Crucially, young voters are expected to play a decisive role. BNP, founded in 1978 by Ziaur Rahman, has remained out of power for 17 years — its longest stretch. Jamaat, once banned after independence and later revived, previously shared power with BNP in 2001 before losing ground in 2008. Both parties faced sustained pressure during Awami League’s extended rule.
What Lies Ahead?
The election outcome may not just determine the next government — it could redefine Bangladesh’s political order after decades of bipolar dominance. If the Jamaat-led alliance secures the numbers it anticipates, a major ideological shift could follow. If the BNP consolidates, it may reclaim central space. And if disputes intensify, political instability cannot be ruled out.
For now, Bangladesh stands divided between celebration and rejection. The mandate — once declared — will decide which narrative prevails. For India, observers state, that New Delhi shouldn’t
believe own narratives.”
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