Politics of Bangladesh

The politics of Bangladesh follow a parliamentary system where people choose their leaders through elections. The prime minister is the main leader of the government, and there are many parties that take part in these elections. Power is shared between the government and the parliament.

Bangladesh adopted its current parliamentary system in 1991, inspired by the Westminster system. Before that, from 1975 to 1990, the country was ruled by the military. To ensure fair elections, a special caretaker government was used, led by a Chief Adviser. This system helped guide the country back to democracy but was later changed in 2011.

Today, the political scene is mainly shaped by two large parties: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL). Recently, in 2024, people protested against the government, leading to big changes in leadership. By 2026, the BNP took control of the government, while another group, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, became the main opposition.

Political parties and elections

For other political parties, see List of political parties in Bangladesh. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Bangladesh.

See also: Bangladesh Election Commission

The two main parties in Bangladesh are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Awami League.

Student groups are important in Bangladesh's politics. Almost all political parties have student groups, and some students have been elected to parliament.

Election History

1973

Main article: 1973 Bangladeshi general election

The 1973 general election was held on 7 March 1973. There were seats reserved for women.

1979

Main article: 1979 Bangladeshi general election

The 1979 general election was held on 18 February 1979. There were seats reserved for women.

1986

Main article: 1986 Bangladeshi general election

The 1986 general election was held on 7 May 1986. There were seats reserved for women.

1988

Main article: 1988 Bangladeshi general election

The 1988 general election was held on 3 March 1988. There were seats reserved for women.

1991

Main article: 1991 Bangladeshi general election

The 1991 general election was held on 13 January 1991. There were seats reserved for women.

February 1996

Main article: February 1996 Bangladeshi general election

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won the elections. Later, they agreed to hold new elections under a neutral caretaker government.

June 1996

Main article: June 1996 Bangladeshi general election

The Awami League won a general election for the first time since 1973.

2001

Main article: 2001 Bangladeshi general election

The BNP won the 2001 general election.

2008

Main article: 2008 Bangladeshi general election

The Awami League won the 2008 general election.

2014

Main article: 2014 Bangladeshi general election

The Awami League won many seats by default. Voter turnout was very low.

2018

Main article: 2018 Bangladeshi general election

The 2018 general election was held on 30 December 2018. Bangladesh Awami League under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won.

2024

Main article: 2024 Bangladeshi general election

The 2024 Bangladesh general election was held on 7 January 2024.

2026

Main article: 2026 Bangladeshi general election

The 2026 Bangladesh general election was held on 12 February 2026 under an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Local governance

Main article: Local government in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, local governance helps manage towns and villages. People in these areas choose leaders to make decisions about their local needs, like schools and roads. This system lets communities have a say in how they are run and solve problems that matter to them.

Nepotism and dynastic politics

Two women, Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, have been prime ministers of Bangladesh since 1991.

Political families are common in Bangladesh. This means one family controls a political party for many years, passing leadership from one family member to another. People often support these families because they are well-known and trusted.

Bangladesh has two big political families. One is led by Khaleda Zia and her son Tarique Rahman. The other is led by Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. These two families have often competed in politics. Some people wonder if having leaders from just a few families is good for the country.

Political issues

Main article: Democracy in Bangladesh

Bangladesh's political system comes from the Westminster system of democracy in the United Kingdom. This started when Bangladesh was part of the British Colonial Empire. After its independence on 26 March 1971 from Pakistan, Bangladesh used parliamentary democracy. But this stopped after a military coup in 1975. It started again in 1991 with new rules.

Main article: Corruption in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has had problems with unfair practices in politics for many years. It is often one of the places where these issues are common.

Social issues in Bangladesh include rights for women, freedom for different religions, and balancing new ways with old traditions. The two biggest political groups, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League, have disagreed about these matters since 2000.

Background, Independence movement and Provisional Government

Main articles: History of Bengal and Provisional Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

After the British took control of Bengal in 1757, the area was split into East Bengal and West Bengal. East Bengal joined Pakistan and became known as East Pakistan. But East and West Pakistan had problems, like unfair treatment and cultural differences. This made many people in East Pakistan want to be independent.

Leaders like Maulana Bhashani and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman led movements for independence. After hard times in 1971, a declaration of independence was made, starting a war. The first government of Bangladesh was formed in April 1971, with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as president and Tajuddin Ahmed as prime minister. This government worked hard during the war and helped Bangladesh become an independent country on December 16, 1971.

Timeline of Political Leaders in Bangladesh

1972–1975: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

On 8 January 1972, leader of the Liberation War Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was released from Pakistan Jail and sent to London. On his arrival, he was met by the Prime Minister of UK and other world leaders. Sheikh Mujib returned to Bangladesh on 10 January 1972. He congratulated the Bengali Mukti Bahini for succeeding in the war of liberation against Pakistan army. Mujib was placed at the helm of government, according to the election victory under the unified Pakistan government. In 1973, after the first Bangladesh elections, he continued his term in office with backing from India, and public popularity. The new constitution, which came into force on 16 December 1972, created a strong executive prime minister, a largely ceremonial presidency, an independent judiciary, and a unicameral legislature on a modified Westminster model. The 1972 constitution adopted as state policy the Awami League's four basic principles of nationalism, secularism, socialism, and democracy.

The first parliamentary elections held under the 1972 constitution were in March 1973, with the Awami League winning a majority. Mujib and his cabinet had no experience in governance, so they relied on experienced civil servants. The new Bangladesh Government focused on relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the economy and society. Economic conditions took a serious downturn. In December 1974, Mujib declared a state of emergency. After this, he used his parliamentary majority to win a constitutional amendment limiting the powers of the legislative and judicial branches, establishing an executive presidency, and instituting a one-party system, the Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League (BAKSAL).

Serious problems in the armed services and society created mistrust of Mujib and his government. On 15 August 1975, Mujib, and most of his family, were assassinated. Mujib's daughters, Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana, happened to be out of the country. A new government, headed by former Mujib associate Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, was formed.

August–November 1975: Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad

Mujib's senior cabinet minister Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad formed a new government and initiated changes in Mujib's policies. On 3 November, Brig General Khaled Mosharraf launched his own coup. On 7 November Khaled Musharaf was killed in a counter coup engineered by Colonel Abu Taher.

1975–1981: Ziaur Rahman

Following Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad's removal and assassination of Brigadier General Khaled Musharaf, a short lived revolution resulted in the emergence of deputy Army Chief of Staff Major General Ziaur Rahman. His first action was to communicate to the people through radio and television to bring order and calm to the nation. He pledged support to the civilian government headed by President Chief Justice Sayem. Acting at Zia's behest, Sayem dissolved Parliament, and instituted state of emergency under martial law. Zia brought an end to the turbulence within the army. In 1976, Colonel Abu Taher was tried for treason and executed. Fresh elections were to be in 1977 under a multi party democracy with full freedom of the press.

Zia sought to invigorate government policy and administration. Lifting the ban on political parties, he sought to revitalize the bureaucracy, to begin new economic development programs, infrastructure buildup, a free press and to emphasize family planning. In November 1976, Zia became Chief Martial Law Administrator (CMLA) and assumed the presidency upon Sayem's retirement on 21 April 1977.

As President, Zia announced a program of economic reform and began dismantling the MLA. Keeping his promise to hold elections, Zia won a term in the June 1978 elections. In November 1978, his government removed the remaining restrictions on political party activities in time for parliamentary elections in February 1979. These elections marked the culmination of Zia's transformation of Bangladesh's Government from the MLA to a democratically elected, constitutional one. The Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), founded by Zia, emerged as the two major parties. Zia invigorated a strong foreign policy based on sovereignty and economic independence. He initiated many social programs to uplift the poor through hard work and education. During this period, Bangladesh's economy achieved growth.

In May 1981, Zia was assassinated in Chittagong by dissident elements of the military. There was no coup or uprising attempted, and the major conspirators were never taken into custody or killed.

1981-1982: Abdus Sattar

In accordance with the constitution, Vice President Justice Abdus Sattar was sworn in as acting president after the assassination of Ziaur Rahman. He immediately set out to continue Zia's policies and called for fresh elections. Due to President Zia's popularity Sattar won as the BNP's candidate. President Sattar sought to follow the policies of his predecessor and retained essentially the same cabinet.

1982–1990: Hussain Mohammad Ershad

Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Hussain Mohammad Ershad assumed power in a coup on 24 March 1982. He removed the country's democratically elected president and suspended the constitution and declared martial law. He cited pervasive corruption, ineffectual government, and economic mismanagement for legitimising his action. The following year, Ershad assumed the presidency on 11 December 1983, retaining his positions as army chief and CMLA. During most of 1984, Ershad sought the opposition parties' participation in local elections under martial law. The opposition's refusal to participate, however, forced Ershad to abandon these plans. Ershad was capable of managing the Awami League through support. The Awami League's support gave him the strength and legitimacy to seek public support for his regime in a national referendum on his leadership in March 1985. He won overwhelmingly. Two months later, Ershad held elections for local council chairmen. Pro-government candidates won a majority of the posts. Political life was finally liberalized in early 1986, and additional political rights were restored.

Despite a boycott by the BNP, led Begum Khaleda Zia, parliamentary elections were held on schedule on 7 May 1986. The Jatiya Party won a majority of the seats in the national assembly. The participation of the Awami League led by party chairman Sheikh Hasina Wazedlent the elections some credibility.

Ershad resigned as Army Chief of Staff and retired from military service in preparation for the presidential elections, scheduled for October 1986. Protesting that martial law was still in effect, the BNP refused to put up opposing candidates. Ershad easily outdistanced the remaining candidates, taking 84% of the vote. Although Ershad's government claimed a turnout of more than 50%, opposition leaders of BNP, and much of the foreign press, estimated a far lower percentage and alleged voting irregularities.

Ershad continued his commitment to lift martial law. In November 1986, his government mustered the necessary majority in the national assembly to amend the constitution and confirm the previous actions of the martial law regime. The President then lifted martial law, and the opposition party Awami League of Hasina Wazed took their elected seats in the national assembly.

In July 1987, however, after the government pushed through a controversial legislative bill. Passage of the bill helped spark an opposition movement by Bangladesh Nationalist Party. The government began to arrest scores of opposition activists. Despite these arrests, opposition parties continued to organize protest marches and nationwide strikes. After declaring a state of emergency, Ershad dissolved Parliament and scheduled fresh elections for March 1988.

All major opposition parties refused government overtures to participate in these polls. Despite the opposition boycott, the government proceeded. The ruling Jatiya Party won 251 of the 300 seats. The Parliament, while still regarded by the opposition as an illegitimate body, held its sessions as scheduled, and passed numerous bills.

By 1989, the domestic political situation in the country seemed to have quieted. The local council elections were generally considered by international observers to have been less violent and more free and fair than previous elections. However, opposition to Ershad's rule began to regain momentum, escalating by the end of 1990 in frequent general strikes, increased student's campus protests, public rallies, and a general disintegration of law and order.

On 6 December 1990, after 2 months of widespread civil unrest, Ershad offered his resignation. On 27 February 1991, an interim government oversaw the nation's most free and fair elections to date.

1991–1996: Khaleda Zia

The center-right BNP won a plurality of seats in the 1991 Bangladesh General Election and formed a coalition government with the Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, with Khaleda Zia, widow of Ziaur Rahman, obtaining the post of prime minister. Only four parties had more than 10 members elected to the 1991 Parliament: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Khaleda Zia; the Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina; the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), led by Golam Azam; and the Jatiya Party (JP), led by acting chairman Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury while its founder, former President Ershad, served out a prison sentence on corruption charges. The electorate approved changes to the constitution, formally re-creating a parliamentary system and returning governing power to the office of the prime minister, as in Bangladesh's original 1972 constitution. In October 1991, members of Parliament elected a new head of state, President Abdur Rahman Biswas.

In March 1994, controversy over a parliamentary by-election, which the opposition claimed the government had rigged, led to an indefinite boycott of Parliament by the entire opposition. The opposition also began a program of repeated general strikes to press its demand that Khaleda Zia's government resign and a caretaker government supervise a general election. Efforts to mediate the dispute, under the auspices of the Commonwealth Secretariat, failed. After another attempt at a negotiated settlement failed narrowly in late December 1994, the opposition resigned en masse from Parliament. The opposition then continued a campaign of Marches, demonstrations, and strikes in an effort to force the government to resign. The year 1995 observed nearly 200 days of general strikes disrupting the countries normal activities. The opposition, including the Awami League's Sheikh Hasina, pledged to boycott national elections scheduled for 15 February 1996.

In February, Khaleda Zia was re-elected for the second term by a landslide in voting boycotted and denounced as unfair by the three main opposition parties. In March 1996, following escalating political turmoil, the sitting Parliament enacted a constitutional amendment to allow a neutral caretaker government to assume power conduct new parliamentary elections; former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman was named Chief Advisor in the interim government. New parliamentary elections were held in June 1996, and were won by the Awami League; party leader Sheikh Hasina became prime minister.

1996–2001: Sheikh Hasina

Sheikh Hasina formed a "Government of National Consensus" in June 1996, which included one minister from the Jatiya Party and another from the Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal, a very small leftist party. Only three parties had more than 10 members elected to the 1996 Parliament: The Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party.

BNP staged a walkout from parliament in August 1997. The BNP returned to Parliament under another agreement in March 1998. In June 1999, the BNP and other opposition parties again began to abstain from attending Parliament. Opposition parties have staged an increasing number of nationwide general strikes. A four-party opposition alliance formed at the beginning of 1999 announced that it would boycott parliamentary by-elections and local government elections unless the government took steps demanded by the opposition to ensure electoral fairness. The government did not take these steps, and the opposition has subsequently boycotted all elections. In March 2000, US President Bill Clinton became the first US president to visit Bangladesh.

2001–2006: Khaleda Zia

A Khaleda-led four-party alliance won two-thirds of total parliamentary seats with a total 193 seats, while Awami League won 62 seats. Thus Khaleda Zia won a third term as prime minister in 2001. Her coalition included several Islamist parties.

On 21 August 2004, a group of terrorists conducted grenade attacks on a rally held by the opposition party Awami League including leader Sheikh Hasina. Prominent leaders were killed in the attack, and Hasina herself sustained injuries. The Awami League called for a nationwide general strikes following the incident. Begum Khaleda Zia, then Prime Minister of Bangladesh condemned the attacks.

In 2005, Awami League attended Parliament irregularly before announcing a boycott of the entire June 2005 budget session. The BNP government tenure expired in October 2006, and was followed by a period of widespread political crisis.

2006–2008: Caretaker government: Fakhruddin Ahmed

Following the end of Khaleda Zia's government in late October 2006, there were rioting and arson attacks over uncertainty about who would head the caretaker government, paralyzing the country and resulting in death. An election was scheduled for the beginning of 2007, however it did not take place. Given the parties' failure to agree on a candidate For Chief Advisor, according to the constitution the position devolved to the President, Iajuddin Ahmed, serving since 2002. He took it on in addition to his regular responsibilities. Iajuddin Ahmed formed a government, appointing ten advisors to a council to act as ministers.

In January 2007, Iajuddin Ahmed stepped down as the head of the caretaker government, under pressure from the military. Fakhruddin Ahmed, former World Bank economist, was selected to replace him and with the commitment to rooting out corruption and preparing a better voter list. A State of Emergency was declared and a massive campaign to crack down on corruption was undertaken. The government said it would hold elections before the end of 2008.

2009–2024: Sheikh Hasina

The Awami League came to power by winning the vast majority of parliament seats in the election held on 29 December 2008, and Sheikh Hasina became the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for the second time. Her cabinet took oath on 6 January 2009. Just over a month later the Bangladesh Rifles revolt took place.

In 2010 the Awami League government enforced an existing law to reclaim the house where Khaleda Zia had lived for nearly 40 years for a nominal cost. Khaleda Zia moved to the house of her brother Sayeed Iskandar at Gulshan.

Controversy erupted in 2011 after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared the abolition of the care-taker government system. At the same time, arrests and trials of members accused of war crimes of the political party Jamaat-e-Islami had begun. In 2012, Bangladesh won a legal battle against Myanmar under international court regarding disputed sea territories, giving Bangladesh a tremendous advantage on the oceanic areas.

The period 2012-2014 was marked by widespread political unrest and violence in strikes and riots initiated by the opposition party. The scheduled date of the 10th general election was 5 January 2014. Despite the crisis the controversial 5 January 2014 election was held with mass boycott from BNP and its major allies. Awami League had a landslide victory, and Sheikh Hasina was sworn in as prime minister for the third time on 9 January 2014.

In the tenth general election, Sheikh Hasina won a controversial one-sided walkover election after her main rival Khaleda Zia and all other opposition parties boycotted the polls. Awami League once again took office on 9 January 2014.

Most of the post 2014 election period however saw political calm. Tensions between the BNP and Awami League reignited in 2018 after BNP once again started pressing demands for a neutral caretaker government to observe the 11th general election.

The 2018 Bangladeshi general election was held on 30 December 2018. The Awami League returned to power winning 259 out of 300 parliamentary seats, making up the largest government body in Bangladesh after 1973. The Jatiya Party became the main opposition party with only 20 seats.

Bangladesh Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina's new cabinet took oath on 3 January 2019.

Since the 2018 General Election the nation witnessed four years of political silence due to strict policing. During this time corruption remained rampant.

Unlike the 2014 and 2018 general elections which were marred by violence, the 2024 Bangladeshi general election held on 7 January 2024 were generally peaceful and once again won by Awami League, although record low voter turnout was noted. The Awami League Government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took oath for a record fourth consecutive time on 10 January 2024. The election was boycotted by both Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.

2024–2026: Interim Government: Muhammad Yunus

On 5 August 2024, following the fall of the previous government, the Army Chief Waker-uz-Zaman addressed the whole nation assuring the formation of an interim government within a few days. The interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser was formed on 8 August 2024 through his oath of office.

Law adviser Asif Nazrul stated that the thirteenth general election may be possible by 2025.

In January 2025 the Interim government came under criticism for increasing VAT on numerous essential commodities amidst the country's existing uncontrolled inflationary crisis. On 28 February a new political party named National Citizen Party was formed by the leaders of the July uprising.

Clashes in Gopalganj between Bangladeshi security forces and Awami League supporters on 16 July 2025 resulted in at least four deaths and numerous injuries.

On 5 August 2025 Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus formally read out the July Declaration a year after the uprising ended. On the same day he scheduled July Charter and the next general election to be held in February 2026.

On 30 November 2025 new details emerged regarding the 2009 Bangladesh Rifles revolt. On 23 December 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs haf formed a seven-member commission to re-investigate the BDR mutiny, which released its findings on 30 November 2025 concluding that the incident was a planned operation rather than a spontaneous revolt. The report alleged involvement of senior Awami League figures. The commission also cited evidence destruction and missing key individuals during the original probe.

2026–Present: Tarique Rahman

Tarique Rahman the son of the former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia became Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party commonly referred to as "BNP" in January 2026. His party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party after a landslide victory in the 2026 Bangladeshi general election. Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Prime Minister on 17 February 2026 along with other Ministers of the BNP Government ushering a new era in the country. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami became the main opposition party.