Bangladesh Elections 2026: tight race and reform vote loom
Tight vote margins and a landmark reform charter put Bangladesh’s political system at a historic crossroads
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — A close contest, constitutional referendum, and diaspora ballots could reshape the country’s political future.
Infographic brief for Muslim Network TV
Election Day: Feb. 12 (Thursday)
Total voters: 127,711,913
Parliament seats: 300
Districts voting: 64
Polling stations: 42,779
Security deployment
- 900,000 government personnel on election duty
- 92,500 military troops at sensitive polling stations
Political field
- Total parties contesting: 62
- Total candidates: 1,981
- Independent candidates: 256
Major parties and candidates
- Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): 288 candidates (election symbol: sheaf of paddy)
- Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami: 224 candidates (symbol: scales)
- Islami Andolan Bangladesh: 298 candidates (symbol: hand fan)
- Zaker Party: 210 candidates (symbol: rose)
- Jatiya Party: 150 candidates (symbol: plough)
- Other parties include National Citizen Party, Bangladesh Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Nizam-e-Islam Party and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh
Main contest
- BNP-led 10-party alliance: projected 44.1% vote share
- Jamaat-led 11-party alliance: projected 43.9%
- Margin between alliances: 0.2%
- Undecided voters: 6.5%
Key referendum: “July National Charter”
Separate pink ballot paper asks voters to approve constitutional reforms, including:
- Two-term limit for prime minister
- Creation of a 100-member upper house based on proportional representation
- Full judicial independence
If approved, the new parliament will function as a constituent assembly for its first 180 days to enact reforms.
Overseas voting
- Postal ballots enabled for diaspora
- Registrations from 122 countries
- Highest registrations: Saudi Arabia (239,186 voters)
- Expected to influence close races, especially in Chittagong, Sylhet and Dhaka divisions
Why it matters
The 2026 election is widely seen as more than a change of government. It could reset Bangladesh’s political system and shape regional dynamics across South Asia.
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