Jamaat-Led Alliance Claims Landslide in Bangladesh 2026 Vote

Counting of votes has begun in Bangladesh’s 13th general election after polls closed at 4:30 pm local time on Thursday, with major political players offering sharply divergent narratives on the outcome. The Jamaat-led alliance has expressed confidence in securing a landslide victory, while former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has labelled the election a “well-planned farce” and criticised low turnout as a rejection of the process.

Early official figures released by the Election Commission showed a voter turnout of 47.91 per cent by 2 pm, with voting continuing until the scheduled closing time. In parallel with the parliamentary polls, a national referendum was also held to decide whether the proposed July Charter—a constitutional reform—should be adopted.

Prominent economist and political figure Muhammad Yunus hailed the day of voting as the “birthday of new Bangladesh”, praising citizens for a peaceful electoral exercise. His comments came amid widespread security deployment, with reports of both calm participation and isolated incidents. Five individuals have been arrested in connection with a crude bomb blast at a Munshiganj polling station, while clashes between supporters of rival parties were reported earlier in Meherpur district.

Also Read: Jamaat-e-Islami Revival Reshapes Bangladesh's Political Landscape for 2026 Vote

Sheikh Hasina, whose Awami League was barred from contesting the election, strongly criticised the polls on social media. She described them as a “farce” and claimed low turnout signalled popular rejection. National leaders of the Jamaat-led alliance and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) countered this narrative, asserting that their coalition’s performance would reflect strong public support.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman, widely viewed as the frontrunner in these polls, and Jamaat’s chief have emphasised security support and voter enthusiasm. Some constituencies reported voter turnout as low as 3 per cent in the morning, while other areas saw long queues and robust participation.

The election marks a historic moment for Bangladesh, being the first in 30 years without the Awami League’s iconic “boat” election symbol. As the count progresses, all eyes are on the final tallies and the national referendum result, which together will shape the country’s political direction in the coming years.

Also Read: Jamaat-e-Islami Courts Hindu Votes in Bangladesh with Safety Pledge