In the first general election since the student-led “Gen Z” uprising of 2024, Bangladesh has chosen a radical political shift. On February 12, 2026, millions of citizens queued from dawn to cast two ballots—one for their parliamentary representative and another for the future of their constitution.
By the evening of February 13, the verdict was clear: a thumping landslide for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a resounding “Yes” for systemic reform.
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The Mandate: A Two-Thirds Majority for the BNP
With counting nearly finalized in 299 constituencies, the BNP and its allies have secured 213 seats, crossing the two-thirds majority mark required to pass constitutional amendments.
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The Opposition: Jamaat-e-Islami emerged as the second-largest bloc with 76 seats, while the Jatiya Party faced a historic wipeout, failing to win a single seat.
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The Absentee: The Awami League, the party of ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, remained banned from the contest, leaving a vacuum that the BNP successfully filled by positioning itself as the guardian of the 2024 revolution.
The July Charter: Bangladesh Votes for Constitutional Change
Simultaneous with the election, a national referendum was held on the July National Charter (2025). This document, championed by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, received a 60.2% approval rating.
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Term Limits: No individual can serve as Prime Minister for more than two terms (10 years).
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Bicameralism: The introduction of an Upper House with 100 seats to ensure proportional representation.
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Judicial Freedom: The Supreme Court will now control the appointment of lower court judges, removing executive interference.
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Internet as a Right: In a nod to the digital-native protesters of 2024, the charter adds the right to uninterrupted internet as a fundamental constitutional right.
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Tarique Rahman’s Return: From London Exile to the PMO
For Tarique Rahman, the 2026 victory is a personal and political resurrection. After spending 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, Rahman returned to Dhaka in early 2026 following the passing of his mother, Begum Khaleda Zia, in December 2025.
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The New Face: At 60, Rahman has rebranded himself as a reformer, moving away from the corruption allegations that dogged his earlier career.
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Day 1 Focus: Attending Friday prayers in Dhaka, he urged supporters to eschew “victory processions” and instead focus on national healing.
Economic Hurdles: The New Government’s Immediate Priority
While the political victory is decisive, the economic landscape is treacherous.
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Inflation Control: Food prices remain at record highs, and the foreign exchange reserves have stabilized but remain fragile.
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Employment: Rahman has promised to create 10 million jobs over the next five years, targeting the youth who spearheaded the ouster of the previous regime.
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Garment Sector: Reviving investor confidence in the $45-billion ready-made garment industry is critical to preventing further labor unrest.
The India Factor: A New Chapter in Bilateral Relations
Relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, which cooled significantly following Sheikh Hasina’s flight to India, saw a sudden thaw today.
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The Phone Call: PM Narendra Modi called Tarique Rahman to congratulate him on his “remarkable victory,” reaffirming India’s commitment to “peace and prosperity.”
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Extradition Tension: Despite the warm words, the BNP leadership continues to push for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina to face trial in Dhaka for alleged “crimes against humanity” during the 2024 protests.
[BANGLADESH ELECTION 2026: THE NEW POWER STRUCTURE]
| Institution | Old System (Pre-2024) | New System (July Charter 2026) |
| Parliament | Unicameral (350 Seats) | Bicameral (400 Lower + 100 Upper) |
| PM Term Limit | None | Maximum 2 Terms |
| Emergency Power | PM’s Sole Signature | Cabinet + LoP Approval Required |
| Caretaker Govt | Abolished (2011) | Reinstated by Consensus |
Next Steps
If you are following the transition, you should watch for the official swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the Bangabhaban. Furthermore, if you are a business owner involved in cross-border trade, you should monitor the Bangladesh Bank’s upcoming circular on import credit reforms, which is expected to be one of the first economic files signed by the new cabinet.
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