Dhaka | Bangladesh Election 2026
Bangladesh’s prime minister-in-waiting, Tarique Rahman, has called for national unity after his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a sweeping victory in the country’s parliamentary elections.
Addressing supporters in his first speech since the vote, Rahman dedicated the victory to those who “sacrificed for democracy” and urged citizens to move forward together despite political differences.
“Our paths and opinions may differ, but in the interest of the country, we must remain united,” Rahman said.
“I firmly believe that national unity is a collective strength, while division is a weakness.”
Landslide Victory Confirmed
The Bangladesh Election Commission published an official gazette confirming the results of Thursday’s landmark election.
According to the Electoral Commission:
- The BNP-led alliance won 212 of the 299 parliamentary seats.
- The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 77 seats.
The National Citizen Party, led by youth activists who played a role in toppling Sheikh Hasina and aligned with the Jamaat-led bloc, won just six of the 30 seats it contested. The result highlighted the difficulty of converting protest-driven political momentum into sustained electoral support.
Hasina’s Awami League was barred from participating in the election.
Yunus Congratulates Rahman
Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, congratulated Rahman on what he described as “the landslide victory of his party” as preparations began for the transfer of power to an elected government.
The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate expressed hope that Rahman would help guide the country toward “stability, inclusiveness, and development.”
Jamaat Accepts Outcome
The Jamaat-e-Islami also accepted the overall result despite earlier alleging irregularities in the vote count.
Party chief Shafiqur Rahman acknowledged the outcome in a statement:
“We recognise the overall outcome, and we respect the rule of law.”
He had initially alleged “inconsistencies and fabrications” but later said the party would serve as a “vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition.”
International Reaction
Late on Friday, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated Rahman, the BNP, and “the people of Bangladesh” following the election.
“The United States looks forward to working with the newly elected government to advance prosperity and the security of the region,” Rubio wrote on X.
A Political Comeback
Rahman’s victory marks a dramatic political comeback. The 60-year-old returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in the United Kingdom.
He is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981, and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who served three terms in office.
In his remarks, Rahman began speaking in English before switching to Bangla.
“Freedom-loving pro-democracy people of the country have once again brought victory to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party,” he said.
“This victory belongs to Bangladesh, belongs to democracy, this victory belongs to people who aspired to and have sacrificed for democracy.”