Bangladesh's BNP Wins Majority in Parliament, Tarique Rahman Likely to Become Prime Minister

On February 13, 2026, the BNP secured a large victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections. The party won over 200 seats out of 300, giving it a two-thirds majority. This is a major change in Bangladesh’s political scene, ending a period of dominance by the previous government. Tarique Rahman, the leader of the BNP and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is expected to become the new Prime Minister. Rahman has been out of the country for 17 years, living in the UK. He is now returning to lead the party and the country. The election was the first since a recent uprising in 2024 that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. This event brought significant political change and new possibilities for Bangladesh. The voter turnout for this election was 59.44%, and the election process was monitored by international observers to ensure fairness. The victory of the BNP is seen as a return to power for the party after nearly two decades. It reflects a shift in the country’s political landscape and may influence Bangladesh’s future policies. The BNP has expressed its commitment to meeting the wishes of the Bangladeshi people. It also plans to strengthen its diplomatic relations, especially with neighboring India. As part of the election process, a constitutional referendum was held alongside the voting. The referendum proposed reforms such as setting term limits for leaders and creating a bicameral parliament. These changes aim to improve democratic institutions in Bangladesh. Other political parties also played a role in this election. Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party, secured 77 seats and is now the second-largest party in the new parliament. The BNP has indicated that it will work towards fulfilling the hopes of the people and strengthening bilateral ties with India. However, as of February 14, 2026, there has been no official confirmation about when Tarique Rahman will be sworn in as Prime Minister. Likewise, details about the new government’s policies, cabinet, and international plans have yet to be announced. The international community has been observing the election process closely. So far, there is no official response from outside countries regarding the BNP’s victory. The organization of the election and the participation of international observers suggest an effort to ensure transparency. This election marks an important moment in Bangladesh’s history. It is seen as ending the previous period of perceived authoritarian rule and opening a new chapter in the country’s politics. The BNP’s victory reflects the desire of many Bangladeshis for change and a move towards a different political direction. While many questions remain about the next steps and government actions, the election result has already set a course for future developments. The focus now will be on how the new government prepares to implement reforms and what policies will be prioritized. The upcoming days will reveal more details about the direction Bangladesh will take under its new leadership.