Dhaka: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a decisive two-thirds majority in the 2026 general elections, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape following the 2024 student-led uprising.
According to unofficial results released by the Bangladesh Election Commission, the BNP-led alliance won more than 211 of the 299 parliamentary seats, comfortably crossing the threshold required to form the next government. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh this week after 17 years in exile, won both Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6 by wide margins.
The election also featured a national referendum on constitutional reforms, which passed with 65.3 percent support, indicating public backing for proposed changes to the country’s governance framework.
In a major development, the Awami League did not contest the polls, marking the first time in three decades that the party was absent from the ballot following the collapse of its previous administration. The Jamaat-e-Islami alliance emerged as the second-largest bloc with 70 seats.
In his first statement after the results, Rahman urged party supporters to avoid victory rallies and instead hold prayers in memory of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, while maintaining peace and public order. He pledged a zero-tolerance stance on corruption and promised to prioritize rebuilding national infrastructure.
International reactions were swift. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. officials extended congratulations, with Modi reiterating India’s commitment to supporting a democratic and inclusive Bangladesh and emphasizing regional stability.
The Election Commission reported voter turnout at approximately 48 percent as of 2 p.m. on polling day. While minor irregularities were noted in some areas, officials described the overall process as largely transparent and credible.
