BNP wins 151 of 300 seats in Bangladesh parliament, securing a simple majority; Jamaat-e-Islami gets 42
Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chant slogans as they celebrate unofficial news of Tarique Rahman’s win in his constituency in the 13th general election near the party’s Gulshan office in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. Photo: Reuters
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landmark parliamentary election as ballots were counted in a pivotal vote that is expected to restore political stability.
BNP won 151 seats in the 300-member ‘Jatiya Sangsad’, or House of the Nation, Ekattor TV showed, crossing the halfway mark for a simple majority. Its main rival, the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, had 42 seats.
The BNP, which returned to power after 20 years, thanked the people soon and called for special prayers on Friday for the nation and its people. “Despite winning … by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised,” the party said in a statement.
I extend my warmest felicitations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP to a resounding victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.
I look forward to working closely with the…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 13, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif shared congratulory messages, describing Tarique Rahman’s victory as “decisive” and “resounding”.
President Extends Best Wishes to Bangladesh on National Elections
President Asif Ali Zardari has conveyed his best wishes to the government and people of Bangladesh as over 127 million voters head to the polls today to elect representatives to 300 seats in the National… pic.twitter.com/ZeQT7pYCGl
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 12, 2026
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also said that Pakistan will “remain committed to elevating bilateral cooperation on the basis of sovereign equality and mutual respect.”
Warm felicitations to Mr. Tariq Rahman on leading the elections in Bangladesh. I am confident that, under your able stewardship, Bangladesh will continue its journey towards peace, progress, and prosperity. Pakistan remains committed to elevating our bilateral cooperation on the…
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) February 13, 2026
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman indicated the party was conceding even before BNP touched the halfway mark. Votes were cast on Thursday, and tens of millions of Bangladeshis turned up for what was the first election since the 2024 Gen Z-driven uprising that toppled long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
BNP’s promises for the election include financial aid for poor families, a limit of 10 years for an individual to remain prime minister, boosting the economy by measures including foreign investments, and anti-corruption measures.
The party’s manifesto includes implementing the July Charter, creating new constitutional bodies, introducing a bicameral parliament, along with broader changes in line with political parties’ commitments.
The ‘July Charter’, drafted after the 2024 uprising, sought to establish democratic and social justice through institutional reforms, preventing “recurrence of authoritarian and fascist rule”.
BNP also plans to create nearly 1 million new jobs in the information and communication technology sector.
