Two-thirds majority win expected to stabilise nation after months of tumult following ex-PM’s ouster
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
DHAKA:
The Bangladesh National Party (BNP) won a decisive two-thirds majority on Friday in general elections, a result expected to bring stability to the nation after months of tumult following the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising.
The party, led by Tarique Rahman, will return to power after 20 years. Rahman, the son of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, is widely expected to be sworn in as prime minister.
Here are some of the key promises made by the BNP in its election manifesto, which has the motto “Bangladesh before all”:
Reforms
The party has pledged to implement all points of the July Charter that seeks to create new constitutional bodies, introduce a bicameral parliament, along with broader changes in line with political parties’ commitments.
Trade
On trade, the BNP plans to undertake initiatives to restart closed industries and diversify the export sector. The party has also committed to undertake measures so that legally operating foreign businesses can repatriate their stipulated profits to home countries within 30 days.
Employment
The manifesto promises to create nearly 1 million new jobs in the information and communication technology sector. The party has pledged to ensure fair, price-index-based wages in line with inflation and a review system to be launched every two years. Additionally, the BNP plans to develop technical and language skills among the youth and ensure merit-based government recruitment.
Economy
On economic policy, the party aims to introduce international payment systems, establish regional e-commerce hubs and boost “Make in Bangladesh”. It has also promised to launch a Family Card for low-income families with monthly provisions to buy essential commodities.
Health
The manifesto commits to increase public spending on health to 5% of GDP gradually. The party also plans to recruit 100,000 health workers across the country and expand preventive healthcare programmes.
Social
On social policy, the BNP has pledged to launch a mid-day meal program for students and a new, skills and values-based education policy for schools. The party also promises to build better sports infrastructure and training facilities, and to set up training-based welfare programs for religious leaders of all faiths at places of worship.
The BNP won a landmark parliamentary election in a pivotal vote that is expected to restore political stability in the troubled South Asian country. The party 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.
