Bangladesh election result 2026 Highlights: Sheikh Hasina slams polls as ‘sham', Jamaat-e-Islami alleges lapses

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The head of Bangladesh's largest Islamist party said Friday he will demand action by the Election Commission, alleging problems with the vote counting in polls a day earlier, AFP reported.

"There were massive irregularities in vote counting," Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman told reporters on Friday evening. "We will seek redress from the Election Commission." (AFP)

Former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Friday said the outcome of Bangladesh's recent 13th National Parliamentary Elections, which saw victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), sends a strong message about the electorate's priorities, particularly the role of women voters. (ANI)

The head of Jamaat-e-Islami party said he will demand action by the Election Commission, alleging problems with the vote counting in polls a day earlier. "There were massive irregularities in vote counting," Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman told reporters on Friday evening, reported AFP. “We will seek redress from the Election Commission."

Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has formally challenged the legitimacy of the February 12 elections, characterising the event as a "disgraceful chapter" for the nation's democracy.

In a statement addressing the conduct of the polls, the former Prime Minister alleged widespread administrative manipulation and numerical fraud, asserting that the reported figures did not reflect the reality of public participation. (ANI)

In her statement, ousted former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina called the latest elections in the nation a “sham”. “On 12 February, the people of Bangladesh witnessed a carefully orchestrated sham election, which will go down as a disgraceful chapter in the country’s democratic history,” reads a statement by the Awami League.

The head of Jamaat-e-Islami party said he will demand action by the Election Commission, alleging problems with the vote counting in polls a day earlier. "There were massive irregularities in vote counting," Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman told reporters on Friday evening, reported AFP. “We will seek redress from the Election Commission."

China congratulated Bangladesh on a smooth and successful election and extended best wishes to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on its victory in the 13th National Parliamentary Elections.
"Congratulations to #Bangladesh on a smooth and successful election, and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party #BNP on winning the election," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian posted on X

Taslima Nasreen on Friday welcomed the defeat of Jamaat-e-Islami in the Bangladesh election, citing their extremist ideology and violence against Hindus and women.

In a post on X, Bangladeshi writer and activist Taslima Nasreen said that while the Bangladeshi National Party (BNP's) victory is not necessarily the primary cause for celebration, the rejection of Jamaat-e-Islami and Jihadi elements is a victory for human rights. (PTI)

Tarique Rahman, who lived in London in self-exile for 17 years, has emerged as the new face of Bangladesh, with the party founded by his father set to return to power after a 20-year gap, PTI reported.

The 60-year-old leader's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, known to be close to Pakistan, secured 68 seats. The Awami League party of Hasina was barred from contesting the elections, which recorded 59.44 per cent voter turnout. (PTI)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), following its masive win in the elections on Friday, reiterated its firm stance on seeking the extradition of ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial.

China on Friday congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on its landslide victory in the general elections, expressing readiness to work with Dhaka to deepen high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and take forward the Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

The BNP bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, known to be close to Pakistan, secured 68 seats. The Awami League party of Hasina was barred from contesting the 13th Parliamentary elections, which witnessed 59.44 per cent voter turnout. (PTI)

A referendum on the implementation of a reform package saw a 60.26 per cent voter turnout in Bangladesh, with the 'yes' vote winning a clear majority, the Election Commission announced Friday.

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held on Thursday along with the referendum on the complex 84-point reform package, known as the July National Charter.

The referendum saw a 60.26 per cent voter turnout, the Election Commission (EC) said. (PTI)

Bangladesh Election 2026 Result LIVE: The referendum focuses on implementing the 'July Charter' drafted after the 2024 uprising to establish good governance, democracy, and social justice through institutional reforms, and to prevent “recurrence of authoritarian and fascist rule". Read here

Bangladesh voters approved the July National Charter Implementation Order with 48 million in favour and 22.5 million against (68% and 32%) across 299 seats, Dhaka Tribune reported. The referendum was held alongside the 12 February general election, which brought the BNP to power.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), following its masive win in the elections on Friday, reiterated its firm stance on seeking the extradition of ousted former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial. Read here

As per PTI, the BNP women candidates are :

Afroza Khan Rita from Manikganj-3,

Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto from Jhalokati-2,

Tahsina Rushdir Luna from Sylhet-2,

Shama Obaid from Faridpur-2,

Nayab Yusuf Kamal from Faridpur-3,

and Farzana Sharmin Putul from Natore-1

Seven women candidates, majority of them from the BNP, have been elected to Bangladesh parliament in the elections, reported PTI, citing other local media reports.
The BNP women candidates are Afroza Khan Rita from Manikganj-3, Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto from Jhalokati-2, Tahsina Rushdir Luna from Sylhet-2, Shama Obaid from Faridpur-2, Nayab Yusuf Kamal from Faridpur-3, and Farzana Sharmin Putul from Natore-1

On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached out to BNP leader and his soon-to-be counterpart in Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman, after the latter's party won a landslide victory in the Bangladesh general elections held on Thursday. Read here

The Awami League did not participate in the election after being barred from political activities, marking a significant change in the country's political landscape.

Party-wise figures show BNP winning 209 seats on its own. Jamaat-e-Islami claimed 68 seats, Jatiya Nagorik Party six, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis two, Khelafat Majlis one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP one, Gana Sanghati Andolon one, and Gana Adhikar Parishad one seat, Prothom Alo stated.

According to Prothom Alo, of the 297 seats announced, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies secured 212 seats. The 11-party electoral alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 77 seats, Islami Andolan Bangladesh obtained one seat, and independent candidates captured seven.

Party-wise figures show BNP winning 209 seats on its own. Jamaat-e-Islami claimed 68 seats, Jatiya Nagorik Party six, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis two, Khelafat Majlis one, Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP one, Gana Sanghati Andolon one, and Gana Adhikar Parishad one seat, Prothom Alo stated.

Following the BNP's historic win, PM Modi spoke to Tarique Rahman, congratulating him on the ‘remarkable victory.’

“Delighted to speak with Mr. Tarique Rahman. I congratulated him on the remarkable victory in the Bangladesh elections. I conveyed my best wishes and support in his endeavour to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh. As two close neighbours with deep-rooted historical and cultural ties, I reaffirmed India’s continued commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both our peoples,” PM Modi posted on X

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee also congratulated Rahman on BNP's landslide win.
“My hearty congratulations, shubhonandan, to all my brothers and sisters, all the people, in Bangladesh. My advance Ramazan mubarak to all of them. For this great victory, my congratulations to my Tarique-Bhai, his party, and all the parties. Pray, you all be well and happy. Wish that our relations with Bangladesh be always cordial,” the CM posted on X

Tarique Rahman is the the son of former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia and assassinated former President Ziaur Rahman. Reports say that once appointed as the PM – Rahman is likely to face immediate challenges in restoring political stability, reviving investor confidence and rebuilding key industries - including the garment sector - after prolonged turmoil that followed the collapse of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in 2024

Following the BNP's sweeping victory, PM Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen congratulated Rahman on the victory. Tarique Rahman is likely to take oath as the Bangladesh PM on Saturday, 14 February

This year, the turnout exceeded the 42% of the last election in 2024, with media reports saying nearly 60% of registered voters participated in the election on Thursday, 13 February.

The BNP's latest victory — winning more than 200 seats — ranks among its strongest electoral performances, surpassing its 2001 triumph when it secured 193 seats. However, it still falls short of the 230-seat landslide won by Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League in 2008, during its 15-year rule before being barred from contesting this year's election.

Bangladesh is a 90 per cent Muslim-majority country. Hindus make up a small minority in Bangladesh, about 13.1 million people, or roughly 8 per cent of the country's population of 170 million, while Muslims make up 91 per cent.

With the rise and return of BNP, a party which has a poor track record on the safety of minorities, there has been reportedly a sense of fear among Hindus. Read here

In its manifesto, the BNP promised to prioritise job creation, protect low-income and marginal households and ensure fair prices to farmers.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, were among the first to congratulate Rahman on his party's victory.

Tarique Rahman is likely to take oath as Bangladesh Prime Minister on Saturday, 14 February.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Result LIVE: The latest counts in a vote viewed as Bangladesh's first truly competitive election in years gave the BNP and its allies a win in at least 212 out of the 299 seats

The Election Commission said Friday the voter turnout in Thursday’s election stood at 59.44%. More than 127 million voters were eligible, with almost half of them women and 5 million first-timers.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said his country “remains committed to a strong democratic partnership and advancing shared progress.”

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman likely to take oath as Bangladesh PM on Saturday.

Congress leader Udit Raj said that the BNP is "slightly more responsible" than Jamaat-e-Islami.

"I can say that the BNP is slightly more responsible than the Jamaat-e-Islami, and it would have been better if Sheikh Hasina's party had also been given a chance to contest the elections. The situation would have been better," he said.

BNP was in power last time between 2001 and 2006 when Jamaat was its crucial partner, with two of its leaders serving as ministers.

Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP's polls coordination committee chief on PM Modi's congratulatory message said, “We hope that the relationship between two neighbouring countries and the people of these two countries will be strengthened. We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating our leader, Tarique Rahman.”

“It's great that a democratic country is supposed to recognise the verdict of the people,” he added.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge congratulated Tarique Rahman after the projected results showed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leading to a victory in the neighbouring country's 13th parliamentary elections.

In a post shared on X, Kharge highlighted the historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between India and Bangladesh and reaffirmed India's support for a democratic, progressive, and inclusive Bangladesh.

"On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I congratulate Mr. Tarique Rahman and the BNP for winning the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh share deep-rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and multitude of other commonalities. A democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace of our region," Kharge's X post read.

The EC dismissed allegations of manipulation regarding voters' appearances in polling centres.

"There were debates over turnout percentages in past elections as well. Please don't question it now," Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasur Uddin told a reporter on Thursday evening.

He said variations were natural as results from several thousand polling centres arrived at different times.

The Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement.

According to multiple media reports, EC is expected to declare BNP the winner in the general elections with tallies in predawn hours on Friday, suggesting it got majority seats in parliament.

According to an EC spokesperson, the results in several seats are still being processed and are likely to be announced in a few hours.

After the US and India, Pakistan has congratulated BNP for winning Bangladesh elections

Jamaat-e-Islami that it had "serious questions about the integrity of the results process", a day after elections in which their rivals claimed a resounding victory.

"We are not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results," Jamaat said in a statement. Official results are yet to be released, and the party urged "everyone to remain patient".

Indian Prime Minister PM Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a “decisive victory” in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.