New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- Bangladesh held its first general elections on February 12, 2026 after Sheikh Hasina's violent ouster in August 2024. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and an 11-party alliance led by the Jamaat-e-Islami (Jei), which was banned under the Sheikh Hasina government, were the main contestants.

There were no reports of violence/killings and booth capturing during the elections, according to the Dhaka Tribune, that used paper ballots. However, calling the polls "free and fair" was a farce considering that the Awami League (dominating Bangladesh's political system between 2009 to July 2024), was banned from participating in the elections.

In the election that saw some 60% turnout, the BNP won more than the two-thirds...