Bangladesh’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, has accepted defeat in the country’s general election, following a landslide victory by the rival Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The vote, held on February 12, was the first national election since the deadly 2024 uprising that ended the long rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Jamaat Accepts Results
Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman, 67, had initially raised concerns about alleged irregularities and inconsistencies in the vote count. However, on Saturday he said the party would respect the overall outcome.
“In any genuine democratic journey, the true test of leadership is not only how we campaign, but how we respond to the verdict of the people,” Rahman said in a statement.
He added that Jamaat would serve as a “vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition” in parliament.
BNP Secures Strong Majority.
According to the Election Commission, the BNP alliance won 212 seats in parliament, while the Jamaat-led alliance secured 77 seats.
BNP chairman Tarique Rahman celebrated the party’s decisive win, calling it a new chapter for Bangladesh’s democracy.
Although Jamaat did not win, Rahman noted that the party had nearly quadrupled its parliamentary presence compared to previous elections.
“With 77 seats, we have become one of the strongest opposition blocs in modern Bangladeshi politics,” he said.
Leadership Transition.
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner who has served as chief adviser since the 2024 uprising, congratulated the BNP on its victory.
Yunus said he would step down and hand over power to the newly elected government, expressing hope that the incoming leadership would guide the country toward stability, inclusiveness, and development.
The election marks a major political shift for Bangladesh as it moves beyond a turbulent period following mass protests and political upheaval.
With a strong parliamentary majority, the BNP now faces the task of forming a government and addressing the country’s economic and political challenges, while Jamaat prepares to take on the role of opposition.
