An Islamist party becomes Bangladesh's main opposition for the first time

"An Islamist party has become Bangladesh's main opposition for the first time in the country's history, challenging the old dynastic political system despite persistent concerns among critics about the party's policies on women. Jamaat-e-Islami's 11-party alliance won 77 of 300 seats in last week's polls, according to final results announced by the country's election commission on Sunday. Of those, Jamaat won 68, a record high. It had never before won more than 18 seats."

"The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide 212 seats, giving it the two-thirds majority and setting Tarique Rahman, who hails from a powerful political family, on course to become prime minister. Developments in Bangladesh are being closely watched beyond its borders. It is the world's eighth-most populous country and second-largest garment exporter after China, supplying major brands to Europe and the United States - a position the BNP will be keen to protect."

"The country's other major party, the Awami League, was banned from taking part in the polls. Its leader, former autocratic prime minister Sheikh Hasina, fled the country after the deadly 2024 student-led uprising that toppled her government and paved the way for this vote. Jamaat-e-Islami's leader, Shafiqur Rahman, who is not related to the BNP's Tarique Rahman, initially claimed there had been irregularities during voting."

Jamaat-e-Islami's 11-party alliance won 77 of 300 parliamentary seats, with Jamaat itself winning a record 68 seats after never before exceeding 18. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won 212 seats, securing a two-thirds majority and putting Tarique Rahman on course to become prime minister. The Awami League was barred from the election and its leader, Sheikh Hasina, fled following the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled her government. Observers outside Bangladesh are watching closely because the country is the world's eighth-most populous and the second-largest garment exporter. Critics expressed concerns about Jamaat's policies on women and its 1971 wartime role.

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