BNP sweeps 50% votes as Jamaat claims 32% in election

The “Yes” vote’s victory for implementing the Charter raises questions over how PR in the Upper House could harness this vote bank

Voters were seen gathering outside polling centres from early Thursday, Feb 12, 2026, to cast their ballots in the parliamentary elections and referendum. Lines formed outside the Banani T&T Boys’ High School centre from the morning. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Ovi

In the election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured nearly 37.5 million votes -- accounting for 49.97 percent of all ballots cast.

A total of 291 candidates contested under the “Sheaf of Paddy” symbol to amass the tally, with the BNP set to form the government after claiming 209 seats.

The Jamaat-e-Islami, meanwhile, recorded its highest-ever vote and seat count.

Contesting under the “Weighing Scale” symbol, the party won more than 22.5 million votes, or 31.76 percent, and finished second with 68 seats.

The parliamentary elections and referendum were held on Thursday.

Three days later, on Sunday, the Election Commission Secretariat released the official vote figures.

The “Yes” vote’s victory in the referendum for implementing the July National Charter raises questions over how proportional representation (PR) in the Upper House could harness this vote bank.

Election Trend Of The Last 35 Years

Year	Sheaf of Paddy	Weighing Scale	Boat	Plough/others	Vote cast
1991	10,507,549	4,136,661	10,259,866	4,063,537	34,477,803
1996	14,255,986	3,653,013	15,882,792	6,954,981	42,880,576
2001	22,833,978	2,385,361	22,365,516	4,038,453	55,736,625
2008	22,757,101	3,289,967	33,634,629	4,926,360	70,648,485
2014	Boycotted	Registration cancelled	12,357,374 (143 seats)	1,199,727	17,129,850 (153 seats uncontested)
2018	11,111,739	Registration cancelled	63,176,114	4,418,900	82,255,544
2024	Boycotted	Registration cancelled	32,523,318	1,705,853	49,965,467
2026	37,500,000	23,600,000			76,700,000 (parliamentary votes) 77,695,023

Parliamentary And Referendum Turnout

On Friday, the day after the election, Election Commission (EC) Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the turnout for the parliamentary election was 59.44 percent, while the turnout for the referendum was 60.26 percent.

The parliamentary turnout covered 297, with results for two seats remaining unpublished due to legal obligations.

The referendum result, on the other hand, represented 299 seats.

Only 7 of the 50 parties that participated in the election saw victory.

BNP, Jamaat Vote Banks Expand

Election analyst Abdul Alim said the BNP secured the expected outcome, while the Jamaat-e-Islami won a record number of seats.

He noted that persecution of the parties during the previous government won them public sympathy, expanding their vote bank.

He deemed the 60 percent turnout “acceptable”.

He termed the outcome in the election, without the Awami League, with 60 percent turnout, acceptable.

The Awami League the parties’ activists in scores of cases, and attempting to split or break the parties, eventually contributed to winning public sympathy for them, he explained.

The analyst noted that voters viewed Khaleda Zia’s “uncompromising role” and her rejection of various pressures in a positive light.

On the increase in Jamaat’s votes, he said: “Under the previous government, the party was banned, and its registration was cancelled. Many people in Bangladesh did not take this well."

Reserved Women’s Seats And The Upper House

Results for 297 seats have been announced so far in this election. The BNP has won 209 seats, while Jamaat has secured 68 seats.

Among the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance partners, the NCP won six seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis won two, and Khelafat Majlis secured one seat.

Among the BNP allies, Gono Odhikar Parishad won one seat, Bangladesh Jatiya Party won one, and Ganosamhati Andolon won one.

Outside the major alliances, Islami Andolan Bangladesh secured one seat, and independent candidates won seven seats.

Regarding the 50 reserved seats for women in the parliament, the BNP alliance will receive 36, the Jamaat alliance will receive 13, and independents will receive one.

How Will The Upper House Be Formed?

The "Yes" vote has prevailed in the referendum for the implementation of the July National Charter.

The Charter proposes a bicameral parliament, which would include an Upper House with 100 members.

These seats are to be distributed among political parties through a Proportional Representation (PR) system based on the total votes received in the general election.

The Charter also proposes to double the number of reserved seats for women, which is currently 50.

Although 24 political parties agreed on the PR system for seat allocation, seven political parties and alliances, including the BNP, issued a "note of dissent".

Their dissent states that the Upper House should be formed based on the proportion of seats won in the parliamentary polls, rather than the total vote count.

The note of dissent argues that, given the current socio-economic reality, an upper house is not necessary at this moment.

According to the July Charter, the term of the Upper House will be five years from the date of the oath-taking ceremony. If the Lower House is dissolved for any reason, the Upper House will also be abolished.

Votes Received By Party Candidates

>> Liberal Democratic Party (LDP): 13 candidates (Umbrella symbol) received 0.35 percent of the votes.

>> Jatiya Party (Manju): 10 candidates (Bicycle symbol) received 0.04 percent of the votes.

>> Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB): 65 candidates (Sickle symbol) received 0.08 percent of the votes.

>> Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP): 290 candidates (Sheaf of Paddy symbol) received 49.97 percent.

>> Jatiya Party: 199 candidates (Spade symbol) received 0.89 percent.

>> Jamaat-e-Islami: 228 candidates (Weighing Scale symbol) received 31.76 percent.

>> National Citizen Party (NCP): 32 candidates (Water Lily Bud symbol) received 3.05 percent.

>> Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal (JaSaD): 28 got 0.04 percent.

>> Zaker Party: 5 candidates (Rose symbol) received 0.02 percent.

>> Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BaSaD): 35 candidates (Ladder symbol) won 0.05 percent.

>> Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP): 2 candidates (Bullock Cart symbol) received 0.14 percent.

>> Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan: 8 candidates (Banyan Tree symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Bangladesh Muslim League: 16 candidates (Hurricane Lamp symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> National People’s Party (NPP): 22 candidates (Mango symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh: 4 candidates (Date Palm symbol) received 0.47 percent.

>> Gono Forum: 20 candidates (Rising Sun symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP): 1 candidate (Cow symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Islamic Front Bangladesh: 20 candidates (Chair symbol) received 0.08 percent.

>> Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis: 34 candidates (Rickshaw symbol) received 2.09 percent.

>> Islami Andolan Bangladesh: 258 candidates (Hand Fan symbol) received 2.70 percent.

>> Bangladesh Islamic Front: 25 candidates (Candle symbol) received 0.45 percent.

>> Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh: 7 candidates (Spade symbol) received 0.04 percent.

>> Khelafat Majlis: 20 candidates (Wall Clock symbol) received 0.76 percent.

>> Bangladesh Sangskritik Muktijot (Muktijot): 20 candidates (Walking Stick symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Bangladesh Congress: 18 candidates (Green Coconut symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Insaniyat Biplob Bangladesh: 42 candidates (Apple symbol) received 0.03 percent.

>> Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Bangladesh JaSaD): 15 candidates (Motor Vehicle symbol) received 0.02 percent.

>> Bangladesh Supreme Party (BSP): 18 candidates (Ektara symbol) received 0.04 percent.

>> Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party): 30 candidates (Eagle symbol) received 0.28 percent.

>> Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP): 94 candidates (Truck symbol) received 0.33 percent.

>> Nagorik Oikko: 11 candidates (Kettle symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Ganosamhati Andolon: 17 candidates (Mathal symbol) received 0.14 percent.

>> Bangladesh Development Party: 2 candidates (Cauliflower symbol) received 0.17 percent.

>> Bangladesh Minority Janata Party (BMJP): 8 candidates (Rocket symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Bangladesh Labour Party: 17 candidates (Pineapple symbol) received 0.01 percent.

>> Bangladesh Republican Party (BRP): 14 candidates (Elephant) received 0.02 percent.

>> Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist): 32 candidates (Scissors) received 0.02 percent.

>> Janatar Dal: 20 candidates (Pen) received 0.05 percent.

>> Aam Jonotar Dal: 15 candidates (Butterfly) received 0.01 percent.

>> Bangladesh Nezame Islam Party: 3 candidates (Book symbol) received 0.04 percent.

The BNP has secured an absolute majority in the election, set to form a government after two decades.

The swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected members of parliament will take place on Tuesday.

The cabinet's oath-taking ceremony will also be held on Tuesday afternoon.

Traditionally, new governments have taken their oaths at the Bangabhaban, administered by the president.

Party-Wise Election Results At A Glance: 1973-2024

	Awami League		BNP		Jatiya Party		Jamaat-e-Islami	Seats
Year	Votes received (%)	Seats	Votes received (%)	Seats	Votes received (%)	Seats	Votes received (%)
1973	73.20	293
1979	26.83	39	41.16	207
1986	26.83	76			42.43	153	4.61	10
1991	30.08	88	30.81	140	11.92	35	12.13	18
1996	37.44	146	33.60	116	16.40	32	8.61	3
2001	40.13	62	40.97	193	7.25	14	4.28	17
2008	48.04	230	32.50	30	7.04	27	4.70	2
2014	72.14	234			7	34
2018	76.80	257	13.51	6	5.37	22
2024	66	222			3.41	11
2026			49.97	209			31.76	68