Since wresting independence through the Liberation War of 1971, Bangladesh has pursued the establishment of a democratic state. National Assembly elections have not only been a means to form governments but also a reflection of the country's political reality, power transitions, and democratic development. A total of 12 national parliamentary elections have been held since independence, each marking important chapters in Bangladesh's political and social history. The 13th National Election is scheduled today (Thursday).
The first parliamentary election after independence was held on March 7, 1973. The Awami League, led by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, won 293 out of 300 seats. With a voter turnout of 54.9 percent, the party received over 13.7 million votes. This parliament began the task of rebuilding the war-torn country, though its term did not complete as a military coup and assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975 led to Martial Law and military government.
The second parliamentary election took place on February 18, 1979. Following the 1975 political change and period of military rule, BNP won 207 seats during President Ziaur Rahman's tenure. Voter turnout was around 51 percent. This parliament also did not complete its full term as another military coup and assassination of President Ziaur Rahman in 1781 led to dissolution
of parliament.
Under the Ershad government, the third parliamentary election was held on May 7, 1986. The Jatiya Party won 153 seats while the Awami League won 76 seats. Despite participation from multiple parties, the election was marred by controversy, and the parliament lasted only 17 months. The fourth parliamentary election, held on March 3, 1988, was widely boycotted by major parties, including the Awami League and BNP, and the parliament lasted two years and seven months without completing its tenure as a mass movement ousted Ersad regime in 1990.
The fifth parliamentary election, held on February 27, 1991 under an interim government, marked an important step in Bangladesh's democratic transition. BNP formed the government by winning 140 seats, with a voter turnout of 55.45 percent. This parliament completed its full term.
The sixth parliamentary election, conducted on February 15, 1996, became one of the most controversial in Bangladesh's history. Voter turnout fell to just 26.54 percent due to a boycott by opposition parties Awami League, Jatya party and Jamaat. BNP won 278 seats, but the parliament lasted only 11 days. Following a political compromise, the seventh national parliamentary election was held on June 12, 1996, under a caretaker government. With a voter turnout of around 75 percent, the Awami League won 146 seats and successfully completed its full term.
The eighth national parliamentary election, held on October 1, 2001, saw the BNP-led four-party alliance win 193 seats with a 75 percent voter turnout. The ninth parliamentary election, conducted on December 29, 2008, recorded the highest voter turnout in Bangladesh's history at 87.13 percent. The Awami League-led grand alliance won 263 seats, marking a widely participatory election after a prolonged political crisis.
The tenth parliamentary election on January 5, 2014, was controversial due to a boycott by the main opposition parties BNP and Jamaat. Voter turnout was around 40 percent, and the Awami League won 234 seats, with many candidates elected unopposed. In the eleventh national parliamentary election on December 30, 2018, voter turnout was about 80 percent, and the Awami League secured 258 seats. Although participation of parties was high, the election process and results faced criticism. The twelfth parliamentary election, held on January 7, 2024, saw voter turnout drop to approximately 40-41 percent due to the non-participation of several major parties, including BNP Jamaat and left parties. The Awami League once again formed the government. This parliament was dissolved following the July-August uprising in 2024 that ousted Sheikh Hasina's Awami League resign.
Since independence, Bangladesh's national parliamentary elections have alternately symbolized democratic progress and political instability. The highest voter turnout was recorded in 2008, and the lowest in February 1996. This long electoral journey highlights both the strengths and limitations of Bangladesh's democracy. Citizens continue to aspire for participatory, credible, and acceptable elections.
