The History that Led to the Election of Tarique Rahman-The Bangladesh Politics

Image Source_The Economist

Sri City: Bangladesh breathed a sigh of relief when the free and fair elections, held on 12 February 2026, resulted in Tarique (Zia) Rahman (son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia) assuming office. After his 17-year self-imposed exile in London for safety, he came up as the main contender to be the next prime minister of Bangladesh with the pledge to end entrenched corruption and put the country on a “new path” as voting began in the first free and fair elections in almost two decades. The country was relieved to have a stable, structured government in place after years of instability and struggle. The general elections were also accompanied by a national referendum on "the July Charter", which received majority approval and aimed at reforming state institutions.

The highlight of the 2026 election was the absence of the Awami League, which had governed for over a decade before the crisis. The interim authorities suspended the party's registration under legal provisions, effectively barring it from contesting. Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was outside the country during this period. The exclusion of one of Bangladesh's two historically dominant parties made the election highly unusual and sparked debate about political inclusiveness. The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) said, "Voter turnout was 59.88 percent in one of the most peaceful and credible elections in decades". The BNP-led alliance won 212 seats, followed by 77 for the Jamaat-led alliance, out of the 297 parliamentary seats. The reduced number of seats is due to the barring of publication of results for the city constituencies Chattogram‑3 and Chattogram‑8. This national election marked a decisive turning point.  

The 2026 elections were celebrated with such high spirits because of Bangladesh's political history, which began with the 1971 Liberation War, when East Pakistan was renamed Bangladesh and established under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. As a result, the country saw significant industrial development and the reconstruction of its constitutional framework. This rapid development was short-lived due to inflation, famine, and administrative instability, which led Mujib to adopt a one-party presidential system in 1975, before being assassinated in a military coup, triggering years of instability. 

After the removal of Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad and the assassination of Brigadier General Khaled Musharaf in 1975, the arrested Deputy Army Chief of Staff Major General Ziaur Rahman emerged, taking the lead to stabilize the nation as the President, and founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). His governance moved the economy away from state socialism towards market-oriented policies. The ready-made garment (RMG) industry began to take shape during this period, laying the groundwork for future export-led growth. 

After Ziaur's assassination in 1981, political uncertainty continued until General Hussain Muhammad Ershad came to power in 1982. His governance emphasized rural development and administrative decentralization, but his policies remained authoritarian. In 1990, after 2 months of widespread civil unrest, Ershad offered his resignation, restoring democracy. 

From 1991 onwards, the interim government oversaw the governance of the already unsteady country as it faced rivalry between Khaleda Zia of the BNP and Sheikh Hasina (daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's longest-serving female prime minister) of the Awami League. On one hand, their alternating governments strengthened export industries, expanded female education, and increased labor migration. On the other hand, election disputes, parliamentary boycotts, and nationwide strikes made it hard for the economy to maintain a stable pattern of development. A caretaker government system was introduced to oversee elections, reflecting persistent mistrust between major parties, until Sheikh Hasina returned to power in 2009.  

During her jurisdiction, Bangladesh entered an extended era of steady growth and visible change. The economy grew steadily, poverty fell, the garment industry surged, transforming into one of the world's leading apparel exporters, while remittances from workers abroad supported millions of households and further strengthened the economy. The Padma Bridge connected long-isolated regions, the metro rail in Dhaka modernized urban transport, and the push for a "Digital Bangladesh" expanded internet access and online services. Together, these changes reshaped how people worked and participated in the economy.

Simultaneously, power became more concentrated as Hasina was in self-imposed exile in India, where she fled after being deposed by the student-led mass protest that spiralled into nationwide unrest. The caretaker election system was abolished. The 2014-18 elections were heavily disputed by opposition parties. Accusations of unfair practices and limits on dissent deepened political divisions. Inflation climbed, foreign reserves fell, and debt pressures increased.

By 2024, economic strain and political frustration came together. Protests spread across the country, led by young people demanding accountability and stability. A transitional government, headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was formed to calm these tensions and organize credible national elections. Economic stabilization became a priority, with a focus on inflation control, financial sector reform, and the restoration of investor trust. Public order gradually improved, and preparations for elections proceeded under heightened scrutiny. The objective was not merely procedural voting but restoring legitimacy to the political system. 

Image Source

After tracing Bangladesh's political history, we see why the 2026 election was a relaxation of the country's governing system. From an uncertain start to bits and pieces of development to an optimistic government, Bangladesh has come a long way through a cycle of dynamic leadership, constitutional strain, economic transformation, and political highs & lows.

What remains uncertain is whether 60-year-old Tarique Rahman will keep his word and make the country a “safe land for all people”, as he mentioned in his inaugural national television address on February 18, 2026. Improving law and order and controlling corruption are his top priorities, along with strengthening the rule of law. For a country like Bangladesh, making substantial change would not be the easiest, but looking at the series of attacks on the Hindu population following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, people can only hope for a well-led pluralistic democracy.