On February 12, 2026, Bangladesh witnessed a pivotal moment in its modern history—a national election held under the shadow of the seismic Gen Z uprising that, less than two years earlier, had toppled the country’s long-entrenched leader. The streets of Dhaka, once the epicenter of deadly protests and government crackdowns, pulsed with a different kind of energy as millions of Bangladeshis queued at polling stations. The day was not just about choosing lawmakers; it was a referendum on the very future of Bangladesh’s democracy, its institutions, and the hopes of a restless new generation.
According to the Associated Press, more than 127 million people were eligible to vote in this, the first general election since the 2024 mass protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. By 2:00 p.m., the Election Commission reported that over 47% of registered voters had already cast their ballots—a testament to the high stakes and renewed engagement. Polls closed at 4:30 p.m., with counting beginning immediately; full results were expected the following day.
The events leading up to this election were nothing short of extraordinary. In July 2024, students and young activists, frustrated by job shortages, corruption, and a controversial system that reserved government jobs for descendants of Bangladesh’s freedom fighters, poured into the streets of Dhaka and beyond. The protests started small but rapidly escalated, fueled by outrage after Hasina’s government responded with force. As The New York Times reported, the crackdown resulted in more than 1,400 deaths, leaving deep scars on the national psyche. The country’s median age, just 25, meant that the movement was powered by a vast, youthful demographic demanding a break from the past.
The government’s response to the unrest was swift—and, in the eyes of many, brutal. But the protesters’ determination proved stronger. By August 5, 2024, Hasina resigned and fled to India, her Awami League party banned from future elections. In a symbolic move, authorities in Dhaka switched police uniforms from blue and green to gray and brown in November 2025, hoping to distance the force from the violence of the crackdown. Yet, as activist Tanjina Tammim Hapsa told The New York Times, "We didn’t want to change the dresses. We want to change the system, the structure." The sentiment echoed across the country—a cosmetic shift would not satisfy demands for deep, systemic reform.
Thursday’s election was thus more than a contest between rival politicians; it was a test of whether Bangladesh’s hard-won activism could translate into lasting change. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, promised a credible and transparent process. Yunus himself cast his vote in Dhaka’s Gulshan area and later visited other polling stations, describing the day with optimism: "This is a day of great joy. Today is the birthday of a new Bangladesh." Around 500 international observers, including delegations from the European Union and the Commonwealth, monitored the proceedings, lending legitimacy to a process that had so often been marred by allegations of vote rigging and violence.
At stake were 350 seats in Bangladesh’s Parliament—300 elected directly from single-member constituencies and 50 reserved for women, each for a five-year term. The Election Commission postponed voting in one constituency due to a candidate’s death, but elsewhere, the process was described as largely peaceful. Ballots were counted by hand, with party representatives and security officials keeping a close watch, as reported by the Associated Press.
Two major political forces emerged as frontrunners in the race to shape Bangladesh’s future. Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), returned from 17 years of self-imposed exile in London in December 2025 to contest the election. Rahman pledged to "rebuild democratic institutions, restore the rule of law and revive the struggling economy," according to the Associated Press. His return galvanized many supporters who saw in him a chance to break with the past and chart a new course.
Challenging the BNP was an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party. Banned under Hasina, Jamaat has gained prominence since her removal, sparking both hope and anxiety. While the party’s chief, Shafiqur Rahman, expressed confidence after casting his vote—"People demand change. They desire change. We also desire the change"—there were concerns, particularly among women and minority communities, that the rise of conservative religious forces could put social freedoms at risk. With over 90% of Bangladesh’s population Muslim and roughly 8% Hindu, the country’s delicate social fabric remained a central issue.
But perhaps the most significant force at play was the youth. With some 5 million first-time voters eligible, the election became a showcase for the generation that had powered the 2024 uprising. Ikram ul Haque, a 28-year-old voter, captured the mood: "I think it is a very crucial election because this is the first time we can show our opinion with freedom. We are celebrating the election. It is like a festival here. I hope Bangladesh will have exponential change."
Thursday’s vote was not just about parliamentary seats. On the ballot was a referendum proposing sweeping constitutional reforms. If approved, these would allow the newly elected Parliament to form a constitutional reform council within 180 working days, tasked with major changes such as creating new constitutional bodies and transforming Parliament into a bicameral legislature. The upper house, if established, would be empowered to amend the constitution by majority vote. Both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami signed the reform charter after some initial dissent, though Hasina’s Awami League and its allies were excluded from the process. Yunus was enthusiastic about the referendum, stating, "Voting for a candidate is important, but the referendum is very important. The whole of Bangladesh will change."
Yet, not everyone was convinced that the reforms on offer went far enough. Some critics, including Hasina herself from exile, denounced the election for excluding her party and limiting voters’ options. Others feared that the momentum of the Gen Z uprising would be lost in the machinery of politics, with only superficial changes to show for the sacrifices made. As The New York Times observed, the shift in police uniforms was seen by some as a mere gesture, raising the question: Would the election deliver the systemic transformation that so many young Bangladeshis demanded?
The answer will unfold in the coming weeks, as results are tallied and the new Parliament—possibly with a mandate for historic reform—takes shape. For now, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads, its people having spoken through the ballot box after years of turmoil, hope, and hard-fought protest. The world is watching to see if this truly marks the birthday of a new Bangladesh—or just another turn in its long, tumultuous journey.