BNP wins 151 of 300 seats in Bangladesh parliament, securing a simple majority; Jamaat-e-Islami gets 42
Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chant slogans as they celebrate unofficial news of Tarique Rahman’s win in his constituency in the 13th general election near the party’s Gulshan office in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. Photo: Reuters
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) claimed a thumping win on Friday in the first elections held since a deadly 2024 uprising, with leader Tarique Rahman poised to become prime minister.
But final official results are yet to come and BNP’s main rival Jamaat-e-Islami — the largest Islamist party leading a wider coalition — said it had “serious questions about the integrity of the results process”.
Rahman told AFP two days before polling he was “confident” that his party — crushed during the 15-year autocratic rule of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina — would regain power in the South Asian nation of 170 million people.
The US embassy swiftly congratulated Rahman and the BNP for a “historic victory”, while neighbouring India praised his “decisive win” — significant after rocky recent relations with Dhaka.
China and Pakistan, which both grew closer to Bangladesh since the uprising and the souring of ties with India — who has sheltered Hasina since her ouster — also congratulated the BNP.
Broadcasters projected that the BNP had secured a two-thirds majority with 212 seats in parliament, with Jamaat winnng 76 — a huge leap from past results, but far short of the outright win it had campaigned for.
I extend my warmest felicitations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP to a resounding victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.
I look forward to working closely with the…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 13, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared congratulory messages, describing Tarique Rahman’s victory as “decisive” and “resounding”.
President Extends Best Wishes to Bangladesh on National Elections
President Asif Ali Zardari has conveyed his best wishes to the government and people of Bangladesh as over 127 million voters head to the polls today to elect representatives to 300 seats in the National… pic.twitter.com/ZeQT7pYCGl
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 12, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also said that Pakistan will “remain committed to elevating bilateral cooperation on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.”
Warm felicitations to Mr. Tariq Rahman on leading the elections in Bangladesh. I am confident that, under your able stewardship, Bangladesh will continue its journey towards peace, progress, and prosperity. Pakistan remains committed to elevating our bilateral cooperation on the…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) February 13, 2026
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman indicated the party was conceding even before BNP touched the halfway mark. Votes were cast on Thursday, and tens of millions of Bangladeshis turned up for what was the first election since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
BNP’s promises for the election include financial aid for poor families, a limit of 10 years for an individual to remain prime minister, boosting the economy by measures including foreign investments, and anti-corruption measures.
The party’s manifesto includes implementing the July Charter, creating new constitutional bodies, introducing a bicameral parliament, along with broader changes in line with political parties’ commitments.
The ‘July Charter’, drafted after the 2024 uprising, sought to establish democratic and social justice through institutional reforms, preventing “recurrence of authoritarian and fascist rule”.
BNP also plans to create nearly 1 million new jobs in the information and communication technology sector.
