DHAKA, Bangladesh — Polls have formally closed in Bangladesh’s landmark general election, the **first national vote since the 2024 Gen Z-led protests that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and reshaped the country’s political landscape. As ballot counting began on 12 February 2026, the closely watched contest was hailed by some as a chance to rekindle democratic norms, even as tensions and uncertainties linger over security, party bans, and the rising influence of Islamist parties.
A Pivotal Election After Years of Turmoil
Bangladesh’s election on 12 February was not only a contest for parliamentary seats but a symbolic test of democratic renewal after widespread protests in 2024 sparked by frustration with political stagnation, alleged corruption and a dominant Awami League government. The uprisings, led in large part by younger voters — often referred to as a Gen Z movement — resulted in Hasina’s exile and the banning of her party from participating in this vote.
More than 127 million voters were eligible to participate in an election that many see as the most significant in Bangladesh’s post-independence history. In addition to choosing members of the new parliament, many cast ballots in a constitutional referendum on sweeping reforms designed to reshape governance and institutional checks and balances.
Leading Contenders and Rivalries
The election pitted two main political forces against each other. Tarique Rahman, leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), emerged as a leading contender to form the next government after returning to Bangladesh in December 2025 following 17 years in exile. Rahman campaigned on promises of institutional reform, combating corruption and economic rejuvenation.
Opposition to the BNP came from an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, a party that was previously banned but has regained a measure of political legitimacy amid broader upheaval. The alliance also includes parties shaped by youth activists in the historic 2024 protests. Observers note that Jamaat’s growing influence raises concerns among some civil society groups, especially regarding women’s rights and freedoms.
Turnout and Voting Conditions
Voting began amid high expectations and a mixed sense of optimism and tension. Reports indicated strong turnout, with over 47 per cent of voters casting ballots by early afternoon — a significant figure that suggested a robust appetite for new leadership after years of political volatility. Polling took place at 42,779 stations across the country, supported by extensive security deployments intended to ensure safety and order.
Security forces, including tens of thousands of police and military personnel, were positioned throughout major urban centres and rural constituencies. Despite mostly peaceful conditions, isolated violence was reported, including a crude bomb explosion near a polling centre in Gopalganj that injured security personnel and a child — underscoring ongoing challenges to stability during the electoral process.
Counting Begins Amid International Scrutiny
Polling ended late afternoon, and vote counting began immediately. Election officials and party representatives were present at counting tables, tallying votes and watching closely as the results took shape. Early reports from selected seats suggested a tight race between the BNP and the Jamaat-led coalition, with both camps expressing confidence.
International observers — including delegations from the European Union, Commonwealth and other global monitoring groups — were on the ground to assess the conduct of the election, with officials emphasising transparency and credibility after years of contested polls under previous administrations.
Banned Parties and Political Exclusions
A defining feature of this election was the absence of the Bangladesh Awami League, the party led by Sheikh Hasina before her removal. The party was barred from participating in the vote, a decision that supporters of the interim government argued was necessary to reset the political playing field. Hasina, now living in exile in India, denounced the election as illegitimate, arguing that excluding her party undermined democratic inclusivity.
Youth and the “New Bangladesh” Narrative
Youth participation — particularly among voters who came of age after the 2024 protests — was widely seen as a defining element of this election. Young Bangladeshi voters, numbering millions of first-time participants, are believed to have been shaped by the protest movement’s calls for reform, accountability and broader opportunities. Analysts say their turnout and preferences could reshape political trajectories for years to come.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate overseeing the transition, described the day as the “birthday of a new Bangladesh”, underscoring the election’s significance after more than a decade of highly polarised politics and contested governance.
Constitutional Referendum and Future Governance
Alongside the parliamentary contest, voters considered a constitutional referendum on reforms aimed at restructuring national governance. Proposals included expanding civil liberties, bolstering judicial independence, introducing a bicameral legislature and setting limits on executive powers. Should the referendum pass, a constitutional reform council would be tasked with implementing the changes within months of the new parliament’s first session.
Such reforms are intended to address longstanding criticisms of Bangladesh’s political system, including past allegations of corruption, lack of judicial autonomy and concentrated executive influence. The outcome of the referendum — which may be announced alongside election results — could have long-lasting implications for institutional checks and balances.
Implications for Bangladesh and the Region
Bangladesh’s election has captured international attention not only because of its domestic importance but also due to its potential influence on South Asian politics more broadly. A stable, credible electoral outcome may bolster democratic norms across the region, while any disputes or contested results could reignite tensions domestically and attract diplomatic concern abroad.
As results continue to be tallied and reactions pour in from political leaders, civil society and international observers, Bangladesh stands at a pivotal crossroads. The nation’s choices in this election — on leadership, reform and identity — may define its political evolution for years to come.
