Bangladesh Nationalist Party Claims Victory Amidst Challenges

Sat Feb 14 2026 00:46:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In the historic 2026 general elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) achieved a significant majority, marking a decisive shift from 15 years of authoritarian rule. New Prime Minister Tarique Rahman promises to restore democracy and revive the struggling economy.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won over two-thirds of parliament seats in the 2026 elections, following mass protests that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. With Tarique Rahman at the helm, the BNP faces the daunting task of addressing economic challenges and restoring democratic governance amidst a young electorate's aspirations for change.

The centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a landslide majority in parliament, 18 months after mass protests ousted the country's longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.

The party took more than two-thirds of seats in the historic general election, with Jamaat, the country's main Islamist party, coming second. Hasina's Awami League was banned from taking part.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman is set to be the next prime minister and faces huge challenges in getting the economy back on its feet and restoring democracy after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina.

Voters also backed sweeping democratic reforms in a referendum held alongside the election.

I am grateful for the love you have shown me, Tarique Rahman told well-wishers in Dhaka as he attended Friday prayers. His party has said there would be no victory procession.

He was elected to parliament for the first time as one of 212 successful BNP candidates. The Election Commission put voter turnout at 59.44%.

This victory represents a significant change of fortune for Rahman, who spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London and took over as party head following the death of his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, in December.

During his campaign, Tarique Rahman promised the restoration of democracy, with major focus on reviving the economy, controlling rising food prices, and creating jobs for Bangladesh's large youth demographic. Moreover, he aims to improve strained relations with neighboring India.

Shortly after his win, Rahman received congratulations from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the two nations.

Although the BNP is heralded as a party for change, it had faced criticism for corruption and human rights violations during its last governance in the early 2000s.

The election marks a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, with the BNP's substantial victory leading to a mix of hope and apprehension among the populace. Constitutional reforms proposed include introducing prime ministerial term limits, enhancing parliamentary representation, and increasing judicial independence.

As Rahman steps into leadership, he will encounter significant scrutiny from a young electorate eager for change, many of whom participated in the protests that paved the way for this election.