Bangladesh Election Results 2026 Highlights: ‘Yes’ won in favour of July National Charter implementation

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) candidate Md Asaduzzaman is leading from Jhenaidah-1 constituency with over 171,000 votes, while his nearest rival, Jamaat candidate Matiur Rahman has been able to secure over 55,000 votes, Daily Star reported.

BNP leading in 40 out of 102 seats in Narsingdi-3, The Daily Star reported.

Former US Congressman David Dreier, head of a visiting International Republican Institute (IRI) election observation mission, has described how “everyone seems to be working hard to ensure the election continues to be free and fair”, according to Dhaka Tribune.

“Today is a very exciting day in the history of this wonderful country … this is my first visit to Bangladesh, and I can see the excitement, happiness, and festive feeling among so many Bangladeshis”, Dreier was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune.

Habiba Begum, an independent candidate in the Rajshahi‑3 (Paba-Mohanpur) constituency was allegedly assaulted in front of a polling centre. The incident happened around 3:30 pm outside the the Nalkhola Government Primary School in Paba upazila. According to The Daily Star, Habiba was allegedly slapped multiple times. Habiba is a former female vice‑chairman of Mohanpur Upazila Parishad and previously served as women affairs secretary of Mohanpur upazila Krishak League.

It should be noted that people in Bangladesh are voting not only for the next leader and the formation of a new government, but also for the country's political future. The Mohammad Yunus-led interim government drafted a referendum on the July National Charter 2025, which outlines constitutional amendments, legal challenges and new laws.

After exercising their franchise, voters will decide on four major reforms, including the creation of new constitutional bodies. Other questions address the implementation of 30 charter reforms, including term limits for prime ministers and increased presidential powers.

With inputs from Al Jazeera

On the big election day, the European Union Election Observation Mission (EOM)'s chief observer in Bangladesh, Ivars Ijabs, has visited several polling stations in Dhaka. Anticipating a "participatory, credible and trusted" election, Ijabs said, “I think this is really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy."

The EOM sent 90 short-term observers to all 64 administrative districts on election day. Notably, as many as 50 observers have been on the ground in the run-up to the elections since mid-January. The EOM team will come up with a preliminary report on the proceedings.

With inputs from Al Jazeera

As the counting of votes in Bangladesh, former Prime Minister and ousted leader Sheikh Hasina wrote in a post on X

"Gratitude from the People’s Leader Sheikh Hasina to All Citizens, Including Mothers, Sisters, and Minority Communities, for Rejecting the Farcical Election of the Murderous-Fascist Yunus --- Today’s so-called election by Yunus, who seized power illegally and unconstitutionally, was essentially a well-planned farce. The people’s voting rights, democratic values, and the spirit of the Constitution were completely disregarded in this deceptive, voter-less election conducted without the Awami League.

From the evening of 11 February, this farce began with seizure of polling centers, gunfire, vote-buying, distribution of money, stamping of ballots, and agents signing result sheets. By the morning of 12 February, voter turnout was negligible in most polling centers nationwide, and in many centers across the capital and other areas, there were no voters at all. According to the Election Commission’s briefing, by 11 a.m. - just three and a half hours into voting - only 14.96% of eligible voters had participated. This extremely low turnout clearly shows that the Awami League–free election was widely rejected by the people.

It is important to note that in the preceding days, continuous attacks, arrests, intimidation, and fear were inflicted on Awami League voters, supporters, well-wishers, and minority communities, forcing them toward polling centers. Even so, despite all threats and harassment, people rejected this fraudulent election, leaving most polling centers effectively empty. Additionally, abnormal increases in voter numbers were observed in voter lists, especially in Dhaka city, which raises serious questions and is highly suspicious.

In this context, we demand: 📷The cancellation of this voter-less, illegal, and unconstitutional election 📷The resignation of the murderous-fascist Yunus 📷The release of all political prisoners, including teachers, journalists, and intellectuals, and withdrawal of all false cases 📷The revocation of the suspension on Awami League activities 📷The holding of free, fair, and inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government to restore the people’s voting rights."

Following the election across 299 constituencies, Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has called on all political parties and candidates to exercise “restraint and democratic decorum”. Yunus was quoted as saying by BdNews24.com, "“Differences of opinion will exist, but we must remain united in the national interest.”

Yunus congratulated the nation, saying that both the parliamentary election and the referendum had concluded in a “peaceful and festive atmosphere.”

Monira Sharmin, secretary of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP) Election Management Committee, has alleged multiple irregularities in the election, warning that any attempt to manipulate the results would not be accepted. Addressing media at the party office in Banglamotor in the capital, Sharmin said the voting process was generally smooth until noon, but complaints of misconduct began surfacing afterward, with no action taken by authorities.

With inputs from Dhaka Tribune

Here is a definitive guide for voters and observers tracking live trends and final results:

The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) remains the primary and most credible source for verified data.

Official website:

Seat-wise and constituency-wise results will be uploaded in real time on the Election Commission’s official portal as returning officers complete local counts.

‘Smart Election Management BD’ App:

The government’s official mobile application provides

The app is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Experts have urged citizens to rely only on official EC data to avoid misinformation.

Voters this year are monitoring two parallel exercises:

Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament)

300 directly contested seats

Majority mark: 151

The contest is primarily between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of Hasina’s now-disbanded Awami League.

Voters are simultaneously participating in a “Yes/No” referendum on an 84-point reform package known as the “July Charter”, introduced by interim chief Muhammad Yunus.

Tens of millions of Bangladeshis voted on Thursday in an election that they hope will provide stability and growth after the 2024 ouster of long-time premier Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-driven uprising. The polling concluded at 4 pm across 299 constituencies in the country.

Tens of millions of Bangladeshis voted on Thursday in an election that they hope will provide stability and growth after the 2024 ouster of long-time premier Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-driven uprising.

With around 128 million people eligible to vote, turnout reached a high 32.88% by noon at about three-fourths of the 42,651 polling centres across the country, Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission, told reporters.

Analysts say a decisive result is crucial for steady governance in the nation of 175 million, as the deadly anti-Hasina protests triggered months of unrest and disrupted key industries, including the huge garments sector, the world's second-largest exporter.

It is the world's first election after an uprising led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to ⁠be followed ​by Nepal next month.

The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP.

In the capital Dhaka, people queued up outside voting booths before polls opened at 7:30 a.m. (0130 GMT), including eager participants like Mohammed Jobair Hossain, 39, who said he last voted in 2008.

"I am feeling excited because we are voting in a free manner after 17 years," Hossain said as he waited in line. "Our votes will matter and have meaning." Hossain's sentiment was echoed by many voters, who told Reuters ​that ​the atmosphere felt more free and festive than earlier elections.

Reuters