As the clock struck 4:30 p.m. on February 12, 2026, polling stations across Bangladesh officially closed, marking the end of a historic day in the nation’s political life. Ballot boxes were sealed, and the manual counting of votes began almost immediately, setting the stage for a nail-biting wait as the country anticipated the results of its most unpredictable election in decades. For the first time since 2008, the outcome was genuinely uncertain—a sharp departure from the widely condemned, systematically rigged polls of the previous era.
This election, as reported by BBC and DW, was no ordinary contest. It was the first national vote since the student-led protests of 2024 that toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year rule. Hasina’s Awami League, once the dominant force, was banned from participating. Hasina herself, now in exile in India, has questioned the legitimacy of the process and rejected charges against her, casting a long shadow over the proceedings. Yet, for millions of Bangladeshis, the day felt like a new beginning. Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, captured the mood: “This is a day of freedom. Through this, we have ended the nightmare and begun a new dream… From here, we will begin our journey towards a new Bangladesh.”
More than 127 million people were eligible to vote, including about 4 million first-timers, according to DW. The demographic tilt was striking: nearly 44% of voters were under 37, reflecting the energy and aspirations of a younger generation that had played a pivotal role in the 2024 uprising. The turnout reflected this engagement—by 2 p.m., nearly half the electorate had cast ballots, surpassing the 42% turnout seen in the previous election.
The contest itself was a direct face-off between the centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, and an 11-party coalition spearheaded by Jamaat-e-Islami, whose chief, Shafiqur Rahman, emerged as a formidable challenger. The coalition also included the National Citizen Party (NCP), a political newcomer forged in the crucible of the Gen Z-led uprising. While opinion polls tipped Tarique Rahman as the frontrunner, the Jamaat-led alliance was expected to mount a serious challenge, buoyed by grassroots campaigning and a promise of justice and anti-corruption reforms.
Rahman, 60, is the son of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female prime minister, herself a product of dynastic politics. Before casting his vote in Dhaka, he told the BBC he felt “confident” and had waited “more than a decade” for this moment. He’s been outspoken about his vision for a “rainbow nation,” promising a National Reconciliation Commission to help Bangladesh move past its divisions and pledging economic and democratic reforms. “I firmly believe that if people in Bangladesh come out to cast their votes, conspiracies will not succeed. My best wishes to everyone for ushering in a new democracy,” Rahman said, as quoted by DW.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Shafiqur Rahman, 67, a former political prisoner, was equally optimistic, describing the election as a “turning point.” He told DW, “People demand change. They desire change. We also desire the change.” Jamaat, long relegated to junior partner status in previous BNP-led coalitions, was for the first time a major player on the ballot, fielding over 200 male candidates. The NCP, meanwhile, was allowed to run 30 candidates, only two of whom were women. The BNP fielded over 250 candidates, including 10 women. This marked a historic drop in female representation, a point not lost on observers and voters alike, especially given the prominent role women played in the 2024 protests.
The election was not just about picking lawmakers. Voters were also asked to weigh in on a referendum for sweeping constitutional reforms, known as the July Charter 2025. Endorsed by 24 parties and proposed by the interim government, the charter aimed to overhaul key institutions: reconfiguring caretaker governance, creating a 100-member upper house via proportional representation, instituting term limits for prime ministers, enhancing presidential powers, and boosting women’s representation. The referendum required only a simple majority to pass, and if approved, would be binding on the next parliament, which must implement the reforms within 270 days.
Security was a top priority. Almost a million police and soldiers, including over 100,000 army troops, were deployed to safeguard nearly 43,000 polling stations. Army patrols and police presence were visible in Dhaka and other districts, with 90% of polling centers under CCTV surveillance and drones monitoring from above. Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury stated, “We are committed to keeping the order stable throughout the election period.”
Despite the heavy security, the atmosphere at many polling stations was one of hope and engagement. Voters lined up from the early hours, some traveling long distances to cast their ballots. “We’re looking for a better country, basically,” one man told DW. “Corruption and security” were his top concerns, along with “equal rights for all.” Another voter, participating for the second time, expressed optimism that Gen Z’s involvement would allow people “to speak more” and hoped for “a less-corrupted Bangladesh.” Calls for a strong opposition and more robust debate echoed throughout the day, with many hoping the new parliament would ensure greater accountability.
Yet, the road to this moment was not without controversy. The NCP, initially celebrated as the political expression of the Gen Z uprising, faced internal strife after its leadership allied with Jamaat-e-Islami. Many members, especially women, resigned over ideological differences, and allegations of corruption further eroded its credibility. Some critics argued it was arrogant for the NCP to equate the 2024 uprising with Bangladesh’s 1971 War of Independence, a deeply emotional issue for the nation.
As the ballots are counted and Bangladesh awaits the final results, the stakes could hardly be higher. Will the BNP’s dynastic legacy prevail, or will Jamaat-e-Islami’s promise of change resonate more strongly? Can the NCP’s youthful energy overcome its organizational challenges? And will the constitutional referendum usher in a new era of governance, or will old patterns persist?
One thing is certain: for the first time in years, Bangladeshis feel their votes might truly matter. As interim leader Muhammad Yunus put it, “The public awakening we witnessed against long-standing anger, inequality, deprivation and injustice finds its constitutional expression in this election.” The coming days will reveal whether this new dream can become reality.