An Islamist get together turns into Bangladesh’s essential opposition for the primary time : NPR

DHAKA, Bangladesh – An Islamist get together has change into Bangladesh’s essential opposition for the primary time within the nation’s historical past, difficult the previous dynastic political system regardless of persistent issues amongst critics concerning the get together’s insurance policies on girls.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s 11-party alliance received 77 of 300 seats in final week’s polls, in accordance with last outcomes introduced by the nation’s election fee on Sunday. Of these, Jamaat received 68, a report excessive. It had by no means earlier than received greater than 18 seats. The coed-led Nationwide Citizen Occasion (NCP) received six and the rest went to minor events.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion (BNP) received a landslide 212 seats, giving it the two-thirds majority and setting Tarique Rahman, who hails from a robust political household, on the right track to change into prime minister. Developments in Bangladesh are being intently watched past its borders. It’s the world’s eighth-most populous nation and second-largest garment exporter after China, supplying main manufacturers to Europe and america – a place the BNP can be eager to guard.

The nation’s different main get together, the Awami League, was banned from collaborating within the polls. Its chief, former autocratic prime minister Sheikh Hasina, fled the nation after the lethal 2024 student-led rebellion that toppled her authorities and paved the way in which for this vote.

Folks supply Friday prayers on a street outdoors a mosque a day after the nationwide parliamentary election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, Feb. 13, 2026.

Anupam Nath/AP

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Anupam Nath/AP

Jamaat-e-Islami’s chief, Shafiqur Rahman, who shouldn’t be associated to the BNP’s Tarique Rahman, initially claimed there had been irregularities throughout voting. He later conceded defeat and mentioned in a press release: “We acknowledge the general consequence and we respect the rule of legislation. We’ll function a vigilant, principled, and peaceable opposition, holding the federal government to account.”

A shocking end result after many years on the periphery

Jamaat’s end result has come as a shock to many, partly as a result of the get together opposed Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and sided with Pakistan throughout the warfare.

On the time, its leaders had been accused of committing widespread atrocities, together with rape, torture and homicide — accusations the get together has persistently rejected.

A few of its senior members had been tried and located responsible of these crimes in a specifically fashioned court docket from 2010 to 2013, when the Awami League was in energy. Some got loss of life sentences, whereas others obtained life imprisonment. Jamaat maintains that the trials had been politically motivated.

The get together was additionally banned at varied instances, most just lately by the Awami League in 2023. The ban was lifted following the 2024 rebellion, permitting Jamaat to reemerge as a serious electoral contender.

“Many citizens are younger, they usually do not wish to dwell prior to now. They need to construct their future. Jamaat has been saying issues that appear extra sensible and achievable,” Maimul Ahsan Khan, a retired legislation professor of legislation at Dhaka College, advised NPR.

Nonetheless, he added, “I believe Jamaat would have gotten much more seats if it didn’t have the previous baggage of affinity to Pakistan and 1971.”

Girls queue as much as forged their vote at a polling station throughout Bangladesh’s nationwide parliamentary election, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.

Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP

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Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP

Observers say the end result could mark simply step one for Jamaat in rebuilding its political affect.

“With 77 seats, we have now practically quadrupled our parliamentary presence and change into one of many strongest opposition blocs in fashionable Bangladeshi politics. That isn’t a setback. That could be a basis,” mentioned Shafiqur Rahman.

Civil rights issues

Whereas greater than 90 % of Bangladesh’s inhabitants is Muslim, its political system ensures equal rights for minority religions.

Though Jamaat has Sharia — or Islamic — legislation enshrined in its structure, it has just lately softened its public picture, taking a extra reasonable tone on faith and saying it would respect Bangladesh’s political system.

It fielded one Hindu candidate throughout the election however no girls, and Shafiqur Rahman has publicly mentioned no girl can lead the get together.

Nonetheless, Jon Danilowicz, an unbiased political analyst and retired former diplomat who served in Bangladesh, advised NPR that violence towards minority teams in Bangladesh has an extended historical past and is commonly pushed by components moreover ideology alone.

“Typically it is pushed by economics and different points,” he says, and minority teams have “been equally victimized by the BNP and Awami League.”

Danilowicz says that regarding the get together’s remedy of ladies, “they body it as safety and security and by way of household and preserving the function of ladies inside a household construction.”

Jamaat’s first checks are to reveal that it will probably maintain the brand new authorities accountable and to implement the July Nationwide Constitution — a set of reforms to stop a return to autocracy — which might assist to reassure tens of millions of Bangladeshis who nonetheless mistrust the get together.