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Cover Story

A New Bangladesh

The BNP government faces an uphill task of establishing democracy in its true meaning

By Nikhat Sattar | March 2026


With over 60 percent turnout in the 12th February elections in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), arch-rival of the Awami League (AL), has claimed victory, winning 212 seats, well over the 151 required to form a majority government. The AL was banned after the student uprising in July-August 2024, and so was missing from the elections, but pre-election polls had projected a tough competition from the Jamaat-e-Islami led 11 party coalition, including the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), formed by the youth who had led the uprising. The Jamaat has won 77 seats, but the NCP was able to get only six out of the 30 it had contested.

Along with the parliament, the people also voted in a referendum that called for major reforms in the constitution that would, if implemented, prevent the country from becoming hostage to authoritarian rule by limiting the prime ministerial term to two periods, among other judicial and constitutional reforms.

The 2026 Bangladesh elections are notable for several reasons. Firstly, they were clearly the first mainly fair and peaceful elections in over 17 years since Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country for more than four terms, had managed to rig the previous ones. Many people who voted in the current election said that earlier, whenever they would go to the polling station, they would find that their vote had already been cast. Apart from some reservations expressed by the Jamaat about some malpractices in counting votes, no major issues have been highlighted in terms of transparency and a peaceful and safe environment.

Secondly, the electorate seems to have opted for the tried and tested, as is obvious from the large majority the BNP occupies. It had been ruling Bangladesh since its founding, it had won the 1981, 1991, and 2001 presidential elections, and the 1979, 1991, February 1996, and 2001 parliament elections. Its rule had been criticized for corruption, political violence, and poor governance. People are now ready to give it another chance, under the leadership of a new and charismatic leader, Tarique Rahman, the son of ex-President Zia and Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh.

Thirdly, analysts were foreseeing that the over 45 million young voters, many of whom will be voting for the first time and, inspired by the uprising they had spearheaded, would be able to transform their street power into political strength. This was not so; voters were probably unwilling to pass on leadership of the problem-ridden country to the young.

Fourthly, although the Jamaat lags considerably behind the BNP in votes, it has still won 77 seats. - the largest number it has ever won. This shows that after having five of its leaders executed on the orders of a controversial tribunal and widely acclaimed unfair trials, and being banned for many years by the Awami League, it has returned with vigour to the political force. It has promised to do “positive politics” as the opposition in Parliament. This does mean, however, that the electorate is unwilling to pass the reins of government to the religious right.


Fifthly, the voter turnout was around 60 percent, the highest among all elections held so far. This shows that people have developed renewed hope and trust in the democratic process, as has also been proven by the festive nature that surrounded the elections. This was also the first election that enabled the overseas diaspora an opportunity to vote. Postal votes, which also included officials in the country who could not return home to cast their ballot, were at an 80.11% participation rate.

What does the new parliament mean for the country and its over 173 million people? The government faces an uphill task of establishing democracy in its true meaning, law and order, protection of equal opportunities for the 10 percent minority, and economic regrowth, particularly in the garment sector. Of prime importance will be the reduction, if not the elimination, of the rampant corruption that has been one of the reasons for the unrest.

Another major political challenge for the new government will be to reintegrate the AL and its supporters back into the political system

The BNP has promised zero tolerance for corruption and has further vowed that economic measures such as monthly financial help for poor families, the creation of millions of jobs, expanded healthcare access, and policies to boost foreign investment will be carried out. In addition, with its majority and with the opposition also aligned with reforms to the constitution, it will need to meet the terms of the referendum known as the July Charter, which has received a yes from over 65% voters. Khandakar Tahmid Rejwan, a lecturer in global studies and governance at the Independent University, Bangladesh, had said earlier that “the result of the referendum will serve as a critical indicator of whether the political spirit of July remains resilient or is gradually dissipating.”

The referendum has already become a point of dispute, as was evident from the fact that the BNP elected representatives refused to take a second oath for the referendum as was requested by the erstwhile interim government and agreed by the Jamaat.

The prime minister has also emphasized creating a new Bangladesh with mutual trust, respect, and benefits for everyone living in a peaceful state under the rule of law and freedom of speech. This will be a tough call, as the media has been largely repressed and many journalists were killed under the previous AL governments. Even under the interim government, the media had claimed pressure from the political elite and powerful bureaucracy.

Another major political challenge for the new government will be to reintegrate the AL and its supporters back into the political system since the party still has a considerable following. Additionally, it would be interesting to see how the BNP interacts with its erstwhile ally, the Jamaat, in opposition, and whether the two work together for the reforms the country needs badly, or whether confrontational politics will take first seat, as shown by the Jamaat’s boycott of the oath-taking ceremony. What is clear is that with its relatively free from corruption reputation, the Jamaat and its current ally, the NCP, will watch over the government’s performance closely.

Relationship with other countries will be another area the BNP will need to tackle, particularly its current tensions with India, as opposed to the emerging friendship with Pakistan under the interim regime.

This election has given a rare and most consequential opportunity to the country’s politicians to govern in a truly democratic and fair manner and to transform the constitution accordingly, thus ensuring long-lasting peace and tranquility for its people.

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