ADVERTISEMENTThe election followed recent under‑30, Gen Z‑led uprisings across the world, with Nepal set to hold a vote next month. The race pitted two coalitions led by former allies, BNP and Jamaat, with opinion polls giving the BNP a slight edge. BNP was leading in 10 seats and Jamaat in seven of the nearly 20 seats for which early trends were available, local TV news stations reported. Both prime ministerial candidates, BNP's Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, expressed confidence. There is enthusiasm among the people about the vote," Tarique Rahman told reporters, while Jamaat's Shafiqur Rahman called the election a "turning point" for Bangladesh and said the people were eager for change.

Source: The Telegraph February 12, 2026 17:29 UTC