Bangladesh's Upcoming Elections: A Shift in Political Dynamics

As Bangladesh prepares for its February 12 general elections, the political landscape is shifting dramatically. With the Awami League barred from participation, a contest is emerging between a BNP-led coalition and an alliance featuring the National Citizens Party and Jamaat-e-Islami. This marks a historic moment for Bangladesh, as the Awami League has been excluded from national polls for the first time since independence in 1971. The implications of these elections are profound, with potential shifts in power dynamics and representation in the country's political framework. Discover the intricacies of this evolving situation and its historical roots.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 29, 2025, 16:00 IST

Political Landscape Ahead of Bangladesh's General Election

New Delhi, Dec 29: The general elections in Bangladesh, scheduled for February 12, are shaping up to be a significant contest, primarily between a coalition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and another alliance featuring the National Citizens Party (NCP) alongside Jamaat-e-Islami.

The Awami League (AL) has been barred from participating in these elections due to a prohibition on its political activities imposed by the interim government following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

This situation marks a historic moment, as it is the first time since Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 that the Awami League has been officially excluded from national elections, having held power continuously since 2009.

Despite calls from international observers for inclusive elections, the interim administration, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, remains firm in its stance.

From her exile in India, Hasina has criticized this exclusion, raising concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.

In the meantime, the NCP has formed an electoral alliance with nine other parties, including the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

The NCP, a newly established political entity driven by student activism, emerged from the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) movement, which was pivotal in last year’s protests against Hasina's government. However, it has faced backlash for its alliance with Jamaat, leading to resignations from some of its members.

For Jamaat-e-Islami, this election presents a chance to regain influence in a country where it has a controversial past, marked by its conservative Islamic stance and its actions during the independence movement.

The organization has roots in the Jamaat-e-Islami movement founded by Maulana Syed Abul A'la Maududi in 1941, which aimed to promote social and political Islam.

Initially, the movement opposed the creation of Pakistan, advocating instead for a unified Islamic India.

After the 1947 partition, it split into various national factions, leading to the establishment of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, whose East Pakistan branch eventually became Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

During the 1971 Liberation War, the party opposed independence and allegedly collaborated with the Pakistan Army, supporting armed groups like the Razakars.

Although Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami presents itself as a modern, democratic party with Islamic ideals, its constitution emphasizes that policies are based on religious principles, aiming to create an Islamic welfare society.

After independence, the party faced a ban, and many of its leaders fled. Their political legitimacy has been contested by successive governments.

The ban on religious parties was lifted in the mid-1970s, and by 1979, the current faction of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was established. The party has since been active in national politics, notably participating in pro-democracy movements against the authoritarian regime of Gen Hussain Muhammad Ershad in 1990.

Jamaat joined the BNP-led coalition government after the 2001 elections, with its leaders holding ministerial roles.

However, from 2010 onwards, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) initiated war crimes prosecutions, leading to the arrest and execution of key leaders like Motiur Rahman Nizami, alongside legal challenges regarding the party's registration and political engagement.

The ICT was established in 2009 by the Awami League government to prosecute individuals for war crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

In 2013, the Bangladesh Supreme Court annulled Jamaat-e-Islami's registration following a High Court ruling that deemed the party unfit for national elections. This decision was reversed in June 2025, allowing the party to regain its registration.

This reversal, occurring after the fall of Hasina’s government in August 2024, has enabled Jamaat to regain political traction, collaborating with the NCP to influence policymaking and student politics, thereby infiltrating universities and advocacy networks. This resurgence is shifting the political landscape in Bangladesh to the right, with Jamaat advocating for a proportional representation electoral system to enhance the representation of smaller parties.