Bangladesh Election Results 2026 LIVE: Neck-and-neck fight between BNP-Jamaat, Tarique Rahman leads

Neck-and-Neck fight underway between BNP and Jamaat in the initial trends, Tarique Rahman leads from his seat as vote counting underway in Bangladesh. 

As people of Bangladesh voted in the country’s 13th parliamentary election, India on Thursday stressed that it would wait for the results before making any assessment of the political landscape. Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The elections are going on in Bangladesh. We should wait for the outcome of the elections to see what sort of mandate has come out, and thereafter, we will look at issues that are there. On the election per se, you know what our position has been. We stand for free, fair, inclusive and credible elections in Bangladesh.” Jaiswal stated that India chose not to depute any election observers to Bangladesh, despite receiving an invitation.

The Jatiya Party also registered victories in Bangladesh in two polls in 1986 and 1988. The Jatiya Party, led by military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad, claimed victory, winning 153 of 300 directly elected seats in 1986. The election was known for widespread rigging, ballot stuffing and fraud.

In the 2024 Bangladesh polls, the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, won a fourth consecutive term, securing 224 of 300 directly elected seats. The main opposition, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and its allies boycotted the election.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won four elections in Bangladesh in 1979, 1991, February 1996 and 2001. Begum Khaleda Zia became the Prime Minister twice, in 1991 and 2001.

The Awami League won six elections in Bangladesh in 1973, 1996, 2008, 2014, 2018 and 2024. The party led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman won the first election with 293 seats in 1973.

Bangladesh held its 12th general election on January 7, 2024, for the 300-seat Jatiya Sangsad, extending Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League rule for a fourth term. The Awami League secured 224 seats outright, with allies and independents (mostly Awami League-backed) taking 62 more, amid a BNP boycott that slashed turnout to around 40 per cent as per Election Commission figures.

Opposition boycott and controversies

The main opposition BNP withdrew, labelling the polls neither free nor fair due to Hasina's refusal of a neutral caretaker government and arrests of thousands of activists. Violence marred pre-poll periods, including opposition clashes, while Western observers like the US and UK criticised the process as undemocratic, calling it a one-party dominance.

Sheikh Hasina's landslide masked deep discontent over economic woes, corruption, and authoritarianism, sparking student-led protests in mid-2024 that ousted her in August. This led to Muhammad Yunus's interim government, banning Awami League, and today's 2026 elections- now pitting BNP against Jamaat-e-Islami after 47.91 per cent turnout by 2 p.m., with counting underway.

Hasina claimed polling centers saw seizures, gunfire, vote-buying, ballot stamping, and agent-signed results from February 11 evening, leading to negligible turnout- only 14.96% by 11 am per Election Commission data- despite attacks on Awami League supporters and minorities. She demanded immediate poll cancellation, Yunus's resignation as "murderous-fascist," release of political prisoners, lifting of Awami League's ban, and fresh elections under a neutral caretaker government to restore democratic rights. This contrasts with official 47.91% turnout by 2 pm and counting underway.

Exiled Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina expressed gratitude to citizens, including mothers, sisters and minorities, for rejecting Muhammad Yunus's "illegal and unconstitutional" election, labeling it a voter-less farce without her party. Hasina claimed polling centers saw seizures, gunfire, vote-buying, ballot stamping, and agent-signed results from February 11 evening, leading to negligible turnout—only 14.96% by 11 a.m. per Election Commission data—despite attacks on Awami League supporters and minorities.

A total of 55,454 observers from 81 domestic organizations, along with around 500 foreign observers, monitored the election. There were 247,482 polling booths in 42,779 polling centers across the 299 constituencies.

A total of 51 political parties participated in the election, with 2,034 candidates in the race, including 275 independent contenders. The BNP fielded the highest number of candidates, 291, contesting with the paddy sheaf symbol. Islami Andolon Bangladesh nominated 258 candidates with the hand fan symbol, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami had 229 candidates with the Dari Palla (scales) symbol, and the Jatiya Party fielded 198 candidates with the plough symbol. The National Citizen Party nominated 32 candidates with the water lily bud symbol.

Voting has ended at all centers in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections and referendum, with vote counting now underway on-site. Polls closed at 4:30 pm across 42,651 centers in 299 constituencies. Voters cast ballots in two boxes: one for local Member of Parliament, the other for the referendum on whether to amend the constitution per the July Charter 2025 declaration. 

From exile, deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has demanded the cancellation of the ongoing 2026 parliamentary elections. This follows her Awami League party's ban by the Election Commission, amid vote counting after polls closed at 4:30 pm. Hasina previously warned that excluding her party disenfranchises millions, risking instability as noted in prior statements to media like Reuters and AP. Her call aligns with historical criticisms of the polls under Yunus's interim government, as BNP leads per EASD surveys projecting ~208 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami alleges fake voting, heightening tensions.

The poll shows 66.3% intending to vote BNP versus 11.9% for Jamaat-e-Islami, with strong BNP support among women at 71.1%. Regional highs for BNP include Chattogram (76.8%) and Sylhet (75.6%), while Jamaat leads in Barishal (17.8%) and Khulna (18.6%). EASD CEO Shamim Hayder Talukdar highlighted 80% of ex-Awami League backers shifting to BNP.

A February 9, 2026, survey by Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD) forecasts a landslide for the BNP-led alliance in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary election. Based on 41,500 respondents across all 300 constituencies, it projects BNP securing ~208 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance ~46, independents ~17, Jatiya Party ~3, others ~4, with 22 toss-ups.

This comes as vote counting progresses nationwide after polls closed at 4:30 pm, with prior turnout at 47.91 per cent by 2 pm. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman urged swift result announcements amid the BNP-Jamaat rivalry. Such claims highlight ongoing electoral disputes in the post-Sheikh Hasina polls.

Jamaat-e-Islami accused fake voting at multiple polling stations in three parliamentary seats and demanded an immediate stop to proceedings. Party chief Dr Shafiqur Rahman specifically called to halt voting in Cumilla, Shariatpur and Patuakhali districts.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman called for the prompt announcement of poll results in Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary elections. Vote counting is underway at 42,651 centers after polls closed at 4:30 pm, following 47.91% turnout by 2 pm. This push aligns with BNP's frontrunner status amid BNP-Jamaat rivalry.

In Bangladesh's Barishal Division, Jhalakathi district, 34-year-old Shapna Begum was arrested for casting a fraudulent vote during the ongoing elections. A mobile court under District Judicial Magistrate Mukta Rani sentenced her to 2 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 Taka. This enforcement action underscores efforts to maintain electoral integrity as vote counting proceeds nationwide.

Women voters participated enthusiastically today, joining early morning crowds of adult voters at polling stations. This reflects high anticipation amid BNP-Jamaat rivalry and the post-Hasina political shift.

Voting has ended at all centers in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections and referendum, with vote counting now underway on-site. Polls closed at 4:30 p.m. local time across 42,651 centers in 299 constituencies. Voters cast ballots in two boxes: one for local Member of Parliament, the other for the referendum on whether to amend the constitution per the July Charter 2025 declaration. Turnout reached 47.91% by 2 p.m., building from 32.88% at noon.

A survey conducted by Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD) indicates a sweeping win for the BNP-led alliance, projecting it could secure around 208 of the 300 directly elected seats in Parliament. The findings were reported by the Dhaka Tribune. According to the survey, the Jamaat-e-Islami–led alliance is expected to win 46 seats. The Jatiya Party is projected to secure three seats, other parties four, and independent candidates 17.

Bangladeshi writer and activist, Taslima Nasreen stressed reducing wealth gaps through economic growth while ensuring minority security. She added that delivering effectively on these fronts would build public trust and popularity for the BNP government.

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen warned that a BNP victory would bring serious hurdles ahead. She urged the party to safeguard democracy, secularism, free speech, women's equality, human rights, universal education and healthcare at all costs.

1. Bangladesh Nationalist Party
2. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
3. National Citizen Party
4. Jatiyo Party 

Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen stated that voting remained largely peaceful despite disturbances and clashes between party supporters at some centers. She highlighted allegations of Jamaat-e-Islami activists casting votes themselves since yesterday evening. Nasreen noted one Jamaat leader caught with 7.4 million Taka in cash, alongside claims of vote-buying through money distribution. Activists allegedly campaigned using the scale symbol, promising heavenly rewards and divine instructions to vote Jamaat.

This marks a turnaround from past abstentions, with BNP as frontrunner fielding 291 candidates against Jamaat amid Awami League's ban. Turnout reached 47.91% by 2 pm, polls closing at 4:30 pm.

BNP boycotted several elections under Sheikh Hasina's rule, which also saw crackdowns on Jamaat-e-Islami over alleged 1971 war crimes. Both parties now enter the 2026 polls leading multi-party alliances.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman said his party would accept the election results if the polls are held in a free, fair and controversy-free manner. “If the election is free, if it is fair, if it is without controversy, then why would we not accept it? Of course we will accept it. All parties will accept it,” he told media at the party’s Gulshan chairman’s office.

Voting continues smoothly across all 42,651 centers in Bangladesh's 13th parliamentary elections and referendum. Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reported 47.91% turnout by 2:00 pm from data at 36,031 centers.

With polling closed at 4:30 pm (Bangladesh local time) in 299 constituencies, turnout builds from 47.91 per cent (till 2 pm) amid BNP-Jamaat rivalry. Counting follows, determining post-Yunus government and National Charter 2025 fate.

A parallel vote gauges support for Muhammad Yunus's 84-point National Charter 2025, outlining governance reforms. This dual process, under heavy 1 million-strong security, marks a post-Hasina shift with international observers present. Counting starts post-polls in 299 constituencies.

Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary elections pit BNP against former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, with Awami League banned after Sheikh Hasina's ouster. BNP fields 291 candidates as frontrunner amid 1,755 total contenders from 50+ parties. Voter turnout hit 47.91 per cent by 2 pm, polls closing at 4:30 pm.

The parliamentary elections came at a time of significant change, following the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the ongoing ban on her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party. With nearly 127 million eligible voters, the eighth most populous nation in the world heads to the polls on February 12. Nearly half the voters are between the ages of 18-37 of which 4.57 million are first-time voters.

Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary elections saw voter turnout rise of 47.91 per cent by 2 pm across polling centers. Voting continues until 4:30 pm, with counting underway in 299 constituencies.

Nearly 1 million security personnel, including APCs and drones, ensured the largest-ever deployment with no major alarms. Isolated incidents included a Gopalganj bomb injuring three, Munshiganj blasts halting one center briefly, and a fatal Khulna clash killing BNP's Mohibuzzaman Kochi. Overnight issues like ballot tampering arrests occurred in Joypurhat and Sylhet.

Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus cast his ballot early at Gulshan Model School in Dhaka, calling it the 'birthday of the new Bangladesh.' BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman voted at a nearby center, urging festive participation after over a decade's wait. Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman also voted, amid BNP-Jamaat rivalry.

Bangladesh's parliamentary elections on February 12, recorded a 32.88% voter turnout by noon across 32,789 of 42,651 polling centers. Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed confirmed no voting suspensions despite this progress. Voting continued smoothly in 299 of 300 constituencies until 4:30 pm.

The voting began at 7:30 am in Bangladesh in 299 parliamentary constituencies and is scheduled to continue until 4:30 pm. The Bangladesh election commission has cancelled the voting in one of the constituencies after the death of the candidate. A total of 50 political parties are contesting the polls with 1,755 candidates and 273 independents are also contesting the election.