Timeline
February 11, 2026 — February 20, 2026
World
Timeline: How Bangladesh's Historic 2026 Election Unfolded Over 9 Days
Following a 2024 Gen Z-led uprising that ousted longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh held its most consequential election in years on February 12, 2026. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide victory, but the historic rise of Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami as the main opposition marked a dramatic shift in the nation's political landscape. This timeline tracks the election, results, and immediate aftermath of this pivotal democratic moment.
10 events · 8 days · 30 source articles
Wed, Feb 11, 2026
Major
Bangladesh Prepares for Most Consequential Election in Years
On the eve of voting, Bangladesh prepared for its first election since the 2024 uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The election was expected to favor the dynastic Bangladesh Nationalist Party, but observers warned of potential gains by Islamist parties. Energy and anticipation filled Dhaka as many Bangladeshis prepared to vote in a free and fair election for the first time in over a decade.
Thu, Feb 12, 2026
Major
Bangladeshis Cast Votes in Landmark Democratic Election
Bangladesh held its general election with nearly 60% voter turnout, marking a relatively calm and transparent process compared to previous violence-marred polls. International observers praised it as one of the most transparent elections in the country's history. Over 2,000 candidates from at least 50 parties competed, with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami emerging as main contenders.
Fri, Feb 13, 2026
Major
BNP Claims Victory in First Post-Uprising Election
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed victory in the parliamentary elections, marking a new chapter for the country after the Generation Z-led 2024 uprising. BNP supporters celebrated jubilantly in the streets of Dhaka, with party faithful expressing hope that 'Bangladesh will now be better' under new leadership.
Sat, Feb 14, 2026
Major
BNP's Landslide Victory Confirmed, Analysts Warn of Challenges Ahead
As results solidified, the BNP's overwhelming victory became clear, ending over a decade and a half of authoritarian rule. For BNP chair Tarique Rahman, returning from long exile, the result represented a decisive mandate. However, analysts cautioned that the party now faced enormous challenges including economic stabilization, corruption concerns, minority reassurance, and addressing youth unemployment.
Sun, Feb 15, 2026
Moderate
Gen Z Movement Fails to Convert Street Power into Electoral Success
Despite triggering the election through their 2024 uprising, young Bangladeshis saw limited electoral success. The youth-led National Citizen Party secured only six parliamentary seats out of 297 available, a disappointing result for the generation that had toppled Hasina. The outcome revealed the difficulty of converting protest momentum into stable governance and highlighted voters' preference for established political parties.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Major
Final Results: Jamaat-e-Islami Becomes Main Opposition in Historic First
The election commission announced final results showing BNP won 212 seats with a two-thirds majority, while Jamaat-e-Islami's 11-party alliance secured 77 seats, with Jamaat alone winning 68—a record high and the first time an Islamist party became Bangladesh's main opposition. The National Citizen Party won only six seats, with the remainder going to minor parties. The results challenged the old dynastic political system but raised concerns about Jamaat's policies on women.
Mon, Feb 16, 2026
Moderate
Regional Powers Assess Implications of BNP Victory
India and neighboring countries began analyzing the geopolitical implications of the BNP's return to power. Experts predicted that Tarique Rahman's government would pursue a cautious foreign policy seeking to balance ties with India, China, and Pakistan. The election outcome was seen as part of broader political shifts across BIMSTEC member countries in the Bay of Bengal region.
Tue, Feb 17, 2026
Major
Tarique Rahman Sworn In as Prime Minister, Ending Era of Female Leadership
Tarique Rahman, 60, was sworn in as Bangladesh's prime minister at the National Parliament in Dhaka, becoming the country's first male prime minister in more than three decades. The ceremony ended an era of female leadership that had begun in 1991 and been dominated by Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. The new government inherited a country with strong desire for reform but deeply divided over politics, identity, and external alignments.
Wed, Feb 18, 2026
Moderate
New Government Faces Mounting Domestic and International Challenges
As the new administration took office, analysts outlined enormous challenges ahead: economic stabilization, tackling corruption, constitutional reforms, minority reassurance, and addressing demoralisation among supporters of the July Revolution who felt their hopes had been betrayed. The BNP's most immediate test would be governance in a country that voted not just for leadership change but for comprehensive democratic reform.
Thu, Feb 19, 2026
Moderate
Debate Intensifies Over Jamaat's Rise and Social Implications
As the dust settled, commentators analyzed the deeper significance of Jamaat-e-Islami's unprecedented electoral success, describing the election as a 'social referendum on gender, authority, and ideological revival.' Despite capturing 31% of the vote, Jamaat failed to convert electoral growth into executive dominance. The party's rehabilitation—given its association with the traumas of 1971—sparked intense debate about the future direction of Bangladesh's Muslim-majority democracy and women's autonomy.
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