DHAKA — In a definitive reshaping of Bangladesh’s political landscape, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has secured a sweeping two-thirds majority in the nation’s first general election since the transformative 2024 uprising. While the February 12 polls were initially expected to be a tight contest between two former allies, the results revealed a decisive mandate for the BNP, leaving the hardline Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to grapple with a performance that fell far short of its ambitious expectations

As of Friday, unofficial counts and Election Commission projections indicate the BNP and its allies have captured at least 212 of the 299 seats contested. For Tarique Rahman, who recently returned from 17 years of exile in London, the victory marks a historic restoration of his party to power after two decades. The United States embassy was among the first to react, extending congratulations to Rahman for what it termed an "historic victory," even as the final official tallies were being processed

A Surge That Subsided

In the vacuum left by the ouster and subsequent banning of the Awami League, Jamaat-e-Islami had appeared uniquely positioned to dominate. Having been a central pillar of the street protests during the July 2024 uprising, the party entered the campaign with a formidable organizational structure and a "pro-uprising" branding. Early observers suggested the party might achieve its strongest electoral showing since independence

However, as the campaign progressed, the anticipated "Jamaat wave" met a wall of voter pragmatism. Strategic shifts in the electorate proved fatal to Jamaat’s ambitions:

• The Youth Vote: Despite their role in the uprising, young "Gen Z" voters largely gravitated toward the BNP’s promise of stability and democratic reform rather than Jamaat’s religious-political framework.

• Minority and Women Voters: Jamaat’s efforts to rebrand—which included fielding its first Hindu candidate, Krishna Nandi, in Khulna-1—failed to yield results. Nandi was defeated by a wide margin, receiving only 70,346 votes against the BNP candidate’s 121,352.

• The Awami Migration: Crucially, former Awami League supporters who chose to participate in the democratic process did not migrate to the Islamist camp; instead, they consolidated behind the BNP as the more viable secular-leaning alternative.

  Diplomatic Friction and Domestic Fallout

  The campaign was further complicated by reports of quiet engagement between Jamaat and Western diplomats. While Jamaat leadership described meetings with American and French envoys as "cordial" discussions regarding a "free and fair" election, the optics triggered a nationalist backlash. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir seized on these reports, alleging a "secret understanding" with foreign powers that he claimed could jeopardize Bangladesh's sovereignty—a narrative that appeared to resonate with a wary electorate.

  Shadows of the Past

  Despite a concerted effort to moderate its image—downplaying Sharia law and emphasizing "discrimination-free" governance—Jamaat remained haunted by its historical baggage. Founded in 1941 by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, the party’s opposition to the 1971 Liberation War and its ties to wartime paramilitary groups continue to shape public perception. Though the party has emerged as the primary opposition with approximately 70 seats—a significant jump from its previous presence—it failed to convince the broader public that it had truly evolved from its hardline roots

  In a statement released on Friday, Jamaat expressed "serious questions about the integrity of the results process," urging supporters to remain patient. Nevertheless, the momentum has shifted entirely to the BNP. Tarique Rahman, who won both the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 seats, is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister as early as Saturday, signaling the end of the 18-month interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

  In a statement released on Friday, Jamaat expressed "serious questions about the integrity of the results process," urging supporters to remain patient. Nevertheless, the momentum has shifted entirely to the BNP. Tarique Rahman, who won both the Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 seats, is expected to be sworn in as Prime Minister as early as Saturday, signaling the end of the 18-month interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.