BNP Secures Landslide Victory in Bangladesh: Explained

The general elections held in Bangladesh on February 12, 2026, have resulted in a historic sweep for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), marking the end of a fifteen-year political dominance by the Awami League. Tarique Rahman, the son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, has emerged as the Prime Minister-elect after leading the party to victory from a self-imposed exile in London. This election, characterized by a massive voter turnout following months of civil unrest, signifies a profound transformation in the nation’s democratic trajectory.

The victory of the BNP follows a period of unprecedented domestic turmoil. Throughout late 2024 and 2025, mass student-led protests against the perceived authoritarianism of Sheikh Hasina’s administration paralyzed the country. These demonstrations, initially focused on job quotas, evolved into a wider movement demanding the resignation of the Awami League government. In August 2025, following a violent crackdown, Sheikh Hasina was forced into exile in India, subsequently facing convictions in absentia for human rights violations.

Following the collapse of the Hasina administration, an interim government was established under the leadership of Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. The Yunus-led administration focused on stabilizing the economy and overseeing a national referendum on constitutional reforms. The result of this referendum, which saw over 80 percent approval for restoring a neutral caretaker system, paved the way for the inclusive 2026 elections. For the BNP, this victory represents not just a return to power, but a mandate to reform the nation’s judicial and electoral institutions to prevent future democratic backsliding.