Bangladesh Election 2026: Bangladesh is holding its general election today amid a dramatically altered political landscape, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, emerging as the frontrunner following the suspension of the former ruling Awami League following the 2024 revolt. The election is the first national vote since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India and her party was barred from running, resulting in a multi-coalition contest involving exiled returnees, student revolutionaries, resurgent Islamist parties, and historic first-time minority candidates.
Incumbent interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus is not running for office, maintaining his role as what he describes as a “guardian of transition.”
Bangladesh Election 2026: Who Is Tarique Rahman & Why Is He Being Considered Frontrunner?
Tarique Rahman, 60, is the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the leading contender for prime minister. The eldest son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and late president Ziaur Rahman, he assumed full party chairmanship in January 2026 following his mother’s death.
Rahman returned to Bangladesh in late 2025 after 17 years of self-imposed exile in London, where he lived since 2008. He has rebranded himself as a statesman during the campaign, emphasizing stability, economic recovery, and democratic restoration. The BNP leads a 10-party coalition contesting 292 seats directly, with the remaining seats granted to alliance partners such as Gono Odhikar Parishad, Ganosanhati Andolan, and the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh.
Key BNP Leaders:
Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (Secretary General): During the party’s 15-year opposition period, he was its most conspicuous figure. He predicts a landslide win and serves as a strategic link between leadership and the grassroots.
- Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury (Standing Committee): Former commerce minister and the party’s chief policy and international relations strategist.
- Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy is an experienced leader who stands for the grassroots and orthodox factions.
- Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan (Standing Committee): Leader of the intellectual wing who focuses on democratic and constitutional reforms.
- Salahuddin Ahmed, a member of the Standing Committee, returned to India in 2024 following years of alleged “enforced abduction” and exile.
- Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi is well-known for his frequent press conferences and venomous statements from the party’s headquarters.
Bangladesh Election 2026: Who Is Dr. Shafiqur Rahman & What Is the 11-Party Alliance?
Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, leads the principal challenger to the BNP, an 11-party alliance that bills itself as a “clean” and “moral” alternative to dynasty politics. Rahman, a former student leader and medical doctor, led Jamaat-e-Islami’s successful electoral comeback after the 2024 political realignment.
Historic Firsts:
- Jamaat-e-Islami has fielded Krishna Nandi, a Hindu candidate, for the first time in the party’s history.
- Anwarul Islam Rani is contesting as the only third-gender (hijra) candidate in the election.
Key Alliance Partners:
Nahid Islam (National Citizen Party): A 27-year-old student movement leader in the 2024 revolution. His party prioritizes youth empowerment and constitutional reform.
- Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis
- Liberal Democratic Party
- Amar Bangladesh Party
- Bangladesh Labour Party
Despite earlier scandals, including criticism for anti-women statements, Rahman has successfully formed significant pre-election coalitions, establishing his coalition as the BNP’s main adversary.
Bangladesh Election 2026: Who Are the Other Major Candidates & Coalition Leaders?
GM Quader (Jatiya Party – Ershad): Leads the National Democratic Front, an 18-party centrist alliance focused on “genuine democratic transformation” and ending what it terms “fascism.” Alliance partners include Anisul Islam Mahmud and Anwar Hossain Manju.
Kazi Sajjad Zahir Chandan (Democratic United Front): Leads a left-wing coalition vying for 149 seats, which includes the Communist Party of Bangladesh and the Socialist Party of Bangladesh. The alliance focuses on secularism and worker rights.
Syed Rezaul Karim (Islami Andolan Bangladesh): Known as the Pir of Charmonai, he leads a large independent Islamic political group that is contesting 253 seats after breaking away from the Jamaat-led alliance. His party has made considerable gains among rural and religious voters.
Nurul Huq Nur (Gono Odhikar Parishad) is a former Dhaka University student leader and key figure in the 2024 revolt. His party is affiliated with the BNP-led coalition.
Zunaid Saki (Ganosamukti Party) is the party’s chief coordinator and a well-known left-wing activist who advocates for institutional reform and civil rights. His party is also affiliated with the BNP coalition.
Bangladesh Election 2026:Â Why Is the Awami League Not Participating?
The Awami League, led by former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, is barred from participating in the 2026 general election. Hasina remains in exile in India following the 2024 uprising that led to the suspension of her government. She has publicly denounced the election as illegitimate.
No Awami League candidates are contesting any constituencies in today’s polls.
Bangladesh Election 2026:Â What Is the Role of Muhammad Yunus?
Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate and interim Chief Adviser, is not running for any elected office. His administration has positioned itself as a neutral “guardian of transition” tasked with overseeing the first post-uprising election. Yunus has stated he will return to civil society following the formation of a new government.
FAQs: Bangladesh Election 2026 Major Candidates
Q: When is the Bangladesh general election?
A: February 12, 2026.
Q: Who are the frontrunners for prime minister?
A: Tarique Rahman (BNP) is the leading contender. Dr. Shafiqur Rahman (Jamaat-e-Islami) leads the primary opposition coalition.
Q: Why is the Awami League not contesting?
A: The party is barred from participation following the 2024 uprising. Sheikh Hasina remains in exile in India and has denounced the election.
Q: Who is Tarique Rahman?
A: Chairman of the BNP; son of Khaleda Zia and Ziaur Rahman. He returned to London in 2025, after a 17-year exile.
Q: Who is Dr. Shafiqur Rahman?
A: Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, medical doctor, leader of the 11-party reformist alliance.
Q: Who is Nahid Islam?
A: A 27-year-old student movement leader from the 2024 revolution who currently leads the National Citizen Party, which is aligned with Jamaat.
Q: Has Jamaat-e-Islami ever fielded a Hindu candidate?
A: No. Krishna Nandi is the first Hindu candidate in the party’s history.
Q: Is Muhammad Yunus running for office?
A: No. He remains interim Chief Adviser and is not contesting.
