Bangladesh election: Who are the key players and parties?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 11 min read 100% complete by Priyanka ShankarFebruary 7, 2026 at 05:18 AM

AI Summary

long article 11 min

Bangladesh is holding parliamentary elections on February 12, its first since the 2024 ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Approximately 127 million voters will elect 350 members of parliament. The election follows a student-led uprising in 2024 that led to a caretaker government under Muhammad Yunus and the subsequent banning of Hasina's Awami League party. The main contenders are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), leading a 10-party coalition, and Jamaat-e-Islami (JIB), heading an 11-party alliance. Voters will also participate in a referendum on the July 2025 National Charter, a document outlining the future governance of the country. Other parties contesting independently include Islami Andolan Bangladesh and the Jatiya Party.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

India ×240% Islami Andolan Bangladesh 50% Muhammad Yunus 50% Jatiya Party 50% Khaleda Zia 60% Bangladesh Parliament 60% Shafiqur Rahman 60% Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ×370% Awami League ×380% Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ×280% Tarique Rahman ×280% Sheikh Hasina ×490%

Keywords

bangladesh election 100% political parties 80% sheikh hasina 70% bnp 70% jamaat-e-islami 60% parliamentary seats 60% student protests 50% caretaker government 50% political alliances 40% voters 40%