Elections in Bangladesh

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Scene from a polling booth in Bangladesh

Bangladesh elects on national level a legislature with one house or chamber. The unicameral Jatiyo Sangshad, meaning national parliament, has 350 members of which 300 members are directly elected through a national election for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies while 50 memberships are reserved for the women who are selected by the ruling party or coalition. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. The president who is the head of the state is elected by the National Parliament. The president of Bangladesh is a ceremonial post and he/she does not exercise any control over the running of the state.

Bangladesh has an unofficial two-party system which has evolved over time since the election of 1991. It means that there are two dominant political parties or coalitions, one headed by Bangladesh Awami League and the other by Bangladesh Nationalist Party, with extreme difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party in terms of achieving a majority.

Historical Overview[]

The constitution was adopted in 1972 and declared Bangladesh as a parliamentary republic. However, in 1975 executive powers were transferred to the Presidency, reducing the Jatiyo Sangshad and the Prime Minister to legislative powers only. This system was maintained until 1991 when the Twelfth Amendment was passed, returning the state to a parliamentary system. Since 1971, 11 parliamentary elections have been held and three Presidential elections have been held by popular vote.

Parliamentary elections[]

Electoral system[]

See also: Jatiya Sangsad and Government of Bangladesh
Facade of building across artificial lake
Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban

The Parliament of Bangladesh (Jatiya Sangsad) consists of 350 members elected to five-year terms. Of that number, 300 are elected in single-member territorial constituencies according to the first-past-the-post electoral system. The remaining 50 seats are reserved for women, and are filled on the basis of proportional representation by a vote of the 300 members. The number of reserved seats has been revised over the years, increasing from 30 to 45 under the 8th parliament and 45 to 50 under the 9th parliament.[1]

General elections[]

Since independence in 1971, 11 general elections have been held in Bangladesh to elect members of the Jatiya Sangsad:

The 1970 Pakistani National Assembly election was held on 7 December 1970. The total number of voters were 29,479,386. The number of casting votes was 17,005,163 (57.68%), the valid casting votes was 1,64,54,278.[2]

Party Votes % Seats
Awami League 12,338,921 74.9 160
Jamaat-e-Islami 991,908 6.0 0
PPP 483,571 2.9 1
Pakistan Muslim League (Convention) 464,185 2.8 0
National Awami Party (Wali) 310,986 1.8 0
Pakistan Muslim League (Kou) 274,453 1.6 0
Pakistan Muslim League (Kayum) 175,822 1.0 0
Independent 561,083 3.4 1


The 1970 East Pakistan Provincial Council election was held on 17 December 1970. The percentage of casting votes was (57.69%), and the number of reserved women seat was 10.[3]


PartySeats
Awami League288
Pakistan Democratic Party2
National Awami Party (Wali)1
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan1
Nizam-e-Islam Party1
Independents7
Total300
Source: Baxter[4]


The 1973 general election was held on 7 March 1973. There were 15 seats reserved for women.[5]


PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Awami League13,798,71773.20293+5
National Awami Party (Muzaffar)1,569,2998.320New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal1,229,1106.521New
National Awami Party (Bhashani)1,002,7715.320New
Bangladesh Jatiya League62,3540.331+1
0New
0New
Bangladesh Jatiya Congress0New
0New
0New
Communist Party of Bangladesh0New
Bangladesh Communist Party (Leninist)0New
0New
Sramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal0New
Independents989,8845.255–2
Total3000
Valid votes18,851,80897.53
Invalid/blank votes477,8752.47
Total votes19,329,683100.00
Registered voters/turnout35,205,64254.91
Source: Nohlen et al.


The 1979 general election was held on 18 February 1979.[6] There were 30 seats reserved for women.[7]


PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Bangladesh Nationalist Party7,934,23641.17207New
Awami League4,734,27724.5639–254
Bangladesh Muslim League–Islamic Democratic League1,941,39410.0720New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal931,8514.838+7
Awami League (Mizan)535,4262.782New
National Awami Party (Muzaffar)432,5142.241New
115,6220.602New
Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist–Leninist)74,7710.391New
Bangladesh Jatiya League69,3190.362+1
Jatiya Ekata Party44,4590.231New
34,2590.181New
Bangladesh Democratic Party0New
Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chashi Dal0New
Bangladesh Janata Dal0New
Bangladesh Jatiya Mukti Party0New
Bangladesh Labour Party0New
Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party0New
Bangladesh Tanti Samity0New
Communist Party of Bangladesh00
Gano Azadi League0New
Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal0New
Jatiya Janata Party0New
National Awami Party (Naser)0New
National Awami Party (Nurur-Zahid)0New
National Republican Party for Parity0New
People's Democratic Party0New
Sramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal0New
United People's Party0New
United Republican Party0New
Independents1,963,34510.1916+15
Total3000
Valid votes19,273,60097.95
Invalid/blank votes402,5242.05
Total votes19,676,124100.00
Registered voters/turnout38,363,85851.29
Source: Nohlen et al.


The 1986 general election was held on 7 May 1986. There were 30 seats reserved for women.[8]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Jatiya Party12,079,25942.34153New
Awami League7,462,15726.1676+37
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami1,314,0574.6110New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab)725,3032.544New
Bangladesh Muslim League412,7651.454+4
National Awami Party369,8241.305+5
Communist Party of Bangladesh259,7280.915+5
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Siraj)248,7050.873New
National Awami Party (Muzaffar)202,5200.712+1
Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League191,1070.673New
Workers Party of Bangladesh151,8280.533New
0–2
Bangladesh Hindu Oikkya Front0New
Bangladesh Islamic Andolan0New
Bangladesh Islamic Republican Party0New
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan0New
Bangladesh Nagarik Sanghati0New
Gano Azadi League00
Islami Jukta Front0New
Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal00
Jana Dal0New
Jatiya Janata Party (Odud)0New
Jatiya Janata Party (Sujat)0New
Jamaaiatay Olamaya Islam0New
Jamaaiatay Olamaya Islam-Nezam-e-Islami Party0New
Pragotishil Jatiyatabadi Dal0New
Young Muslim Society0New
Independents4,619,02516.1932+16
Total3000
Valid votes28,526,65098.69
Invalid/blank votes377,2091.31
Total votes28,903,859100.00
Registered voters/turnout47,305,88661.10
Source: Nohlen et al.

The 1988 general election was held on 3 March 1988. There were 30 seats reserved for women.[9]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Jatiya Party17,680,13368.44251+98
3,263,34038.4419New
Bangladesh Freedom Party850,2842.712New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Siraj)309,6660.3930
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan00
Ganatantra Bastabayan Party0New
Jana Dal00
Taish Dalio Jote0New
Independents3,487,4574.3725–7
Total3000
Valid votes25,833,45198.72
Invalid/blank votes335,6201.28
Total votes26,169,071100.00
Registered voters/turnout49,863,82952.48
Source: Nohlen

The 1991 general election was held on 13 January 1991. There were 30 seats reserved for women.[10]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Bangladesh Nationalist Party10,507,54930.81140New
Awami League10,259,86630.0888New
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami4,136,46112.1318New
Jatiya Party4,063,53711.9235–216
Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League616,0141.815New
Communist Party of Bangladesh407,5151.195New
Islami Oikya Jote269,4340.791New
National Awami Party (Muzaffar)259,9780.761New
Ganatantri Party152,5290.451New
National Democratic Party121,9180.361New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Siraj)84,2760.251–2
Workers Party of Bangladesh63,4340.191New
Bangladesh Adarsha Krishak Dal0New
Bangladesh Bekar Party0New
Bangladesh Bekar Samaj0New
Bangladesh Freedom League0New
Bangladesh Hindu League0New
Bangladesh Islamic Biplobi Parishad0New
Bangladesh Islami Front0New
Bangladesh Inquilab Party0New
Bangladesh Islamic Rajnaitik Party0New
Bangladesh Janata Dal0New
Bangladesh Jana Parishad0New
Bangladesh Jatiya People's Party0New
Bangladesh Jatiya Tanti Dal0New
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan00
Bangladesh Khilafat Party0New
Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Mukti Andolan0New
Bangladesh Labour Party0New
Bangladesh Manobatabadi Dal0New
Bangladesh Muslim League (Ainuddin)0New
Bangladesh Muslim League (Kader)0New
Bangladesh Muslim League (Matin)0New
Bangladesh Muslim League (Yusuf)0New
Bangladesh National Congress0New
Bangladesh National Hindu Party0New
Bangladesh Nezam-e-Islam Party0New
Bangladesh People's League (Goariobi Newaz)0New
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Khaliquzzaman)0New
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Mahbub)0New
Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal (Marxist-Leninist)0New
Democratic League0New
Freedom Party0–2
Gano Azadi League (Samad)0New
Ideal Party0New
Islamic Samajtantrik Dal Bangladesh0New
Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Dal0New
Jatiya Biplobi Front0New
Jatiyatabadi Ganatantrik Chhashi Dal0New
Jatiya Ganatantrik Front0New
Jatiya Ganatantrik Party0New
Jatiya Jukta Front0New
Jatiya Janata Party (Asad)0New
Jatiya Janata Party (Ashraf)0New
Jatiya Janata Party–Ganatantrik Oikkya Jote0New
Jatiya Mukti Dal0New
Janata Mukti Party0New
Jatiya Oikkya Front0New
Janasakti Party0New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu)0New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab)0New
Jatiya Sramajibi Party0New
Jatiya Tarun Sangha0New
Jomiyatay Wulamayya Islami Party0New
Muslim Peoples Party0New
National Awami Party (Bhashani)0New
National Awami Party (Nur Mohammad Kazi)0New
National Awami Party (Sadequr Rahman)0New
Oikkya Prakriyya0New
Peoples Democratic Party0New
Pragotishil Jatiyatabadi Dal0New
Pragotishil Ganatantrik Sakt0New
Sramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal0New
United Communist League0New
Zaker Party0New
Independents1,497,3694.393–22
Total3000
Valid votes34,103,77798.92
Invalid/blank votes374,0261.08
Total votes34,477,803100.00
Registered voters/turnout62,181,74355.45
Source: Nohlen et al.

Following boycotts by the main opposition party, the Bangladesh Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party won the uncontested February 1996 general election. However, amidst protests, they were made to cave in to Awami League's original demands, dissolve the parliament, and hold elections under a neutral caretaker government after the enactment of the 13th amendment.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Bangladesh Nationalist Party278+138
Bangladesh Freedom Party10
Independents10+7
Vacant11–
Total3000
Total votes11,776,481–
Registered voters/turnout56,149,18220.97
Source: Nohlen et al.

Bangladesh Awami League won the June 1996 general election for the first time since 1973 by forming a coalition government, since they fell 5 seats short of a majority.

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Awami League15,882,79237.44146New
Bangladesh Nationalist Party14,255,98633.61116–184
Jatiya Party6,954,98116.4032New
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami3,653,0138.613New
Islami Oikya Jote461,5171.091New
Jaker Party167,5970.400New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab)97,9160.231New
Workers Party of Bangladesh56,4040.130New
Gano Forum54,2500.130New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu)50,9440.120New
Communist Party of Bangladesh48,5490.110New
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh45,5850.110New
Sammilita Sangram Parishad40,8030.100New
Bangladesh Freedom Party38,9740.090New
Samridhya Bangladesh Andolon27,0830.060New
Bangladesh Islami Front23,6960.060New
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan18,3970.040New
Bangladesh Jatiyabadi Awami League11,1900.030New
Islami Shasantantra Andolon11,1590.030New
Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Khalekuzzaman)10,2340.020New
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Mahbub)6,7910.020New
Bangladesh National Awami Party (Nap Vasani)5,9480.010New
Bangladesh Muslim League (Jamir Ali)4,5800.010New
Gonatantry Party4,1140.010New
Bangladesh National Awami Party (NAP)3,6200.010New
Democratic Republican Party3,6050.010New
Bangladesh Janata Party3,3640.010New
Jatiya Janata Party (Nurul Islam)2,9860.010New
Jatiya Janata Party (Sheikh Asad)2,3950.010New
Social Democratic Party1,9380.000New
Bangladesh Gono Azadi League1,6830.000New
Progotisil Jatiata Badi Dal1,5150.000New
Hak Kathar Mancha1,3400.000New
Bangladesh Samaybadi dal (Marxist-Leninst)1,1480.000New
Sramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal9640.000New
Communist Kendra8880.000New
Jatiya Biplobi Front6310.000New
Saat Dalya Jote (Mirpur)6020.000New
Bangladesh Hindu League5700.000New
Bangladesh Peoples Party5580.000New
Bangladesh Bekar Samaj5480.000New
Bangladesh Tafsil Jati Federation (S.K. Mandal)5370.000New
Desh Prem Party5320.000New
Gontantrik Sarbara Party5020.000New
Bangladesh Jatiya League (Sobhan)4180.000New
Jana Dal3950.000New
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Mahiuddin)3930.000New
Jatiya Seba Dal3650.000New
National Damocratic Party3530.000New
Bangladesh Krisak Sramik Janata Party2940.000New
Islami Al Zihad Dal2880.000New
Bangladesh Sarbahara Party2480.000New
Jatiya Daridra Party2440.000New
Sramajibi Oikya Forum2290.000New
Islamic Dal Bangladesh (Saifur)2210.000New
Bangladesh People's League2130.000New
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Samsad (Darshan Shava)2090.000New
Bangladesh Krisak Sramik Mukti Andolon1890.000New
Gono Oikkya Front (Guff)1860.000New
Bangladesh Mehanati Front1730.000New
Bangladesh Tafsili Federation (Sudir)1500.000New
People's Muslim League1400.000New
National Awami Party (NAP Bhashani)1380.000New
Quran Dorshion Sangshta Bangladesh1370.000New
Progatishil Gonotantrik Shakti1340.000New
Bangladesh Islami Party1320.000New
Bangladesh Jatiya Agragati Party1310.000New
Oikya Prockria1120.000New
Bangladesh Vasani Adarsha Bastabayan Parishad1070.000New
Bangladesh Bastuhara Parishad1050.000New
Bangladesh National Congress990.000New
Quran Sunna Bastabayan Party820.000New
Bangladesh Tanjimul Muslimin810.000New
Samridhya Bangladesh Babosai Samproday480.000New
Bhasani Front450.000New
Bangladesh Krishak Raj Islami Party330.000New
National Patriotic Party310.000New
Bangladesh Islami Biplobi Parishad290.000New
Taherikay Olama-e-Bangladesh290.000New
United People's Party260.000New
Bangladesh Manabodjikar Dal200.000New
Independents449,6181.061New
Total42,418,274100.003000
Valid votes42,418,27498.92
Invalid/blank votes462,3021.08
Total votes42,880,576100.00
Registered voters/turnout56,716,93575.60
Source: Bangladesh Election Commission

BNP won two-thirds majority in the parliament and won the 2001 general election.

PartyVotes%Seats
Bangladesh Nationalist Party22,833,97840.97193
Awami League22,365,51640.1362
Islami Jatiya Oikya Front4,038,4537.2514
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami2,385,3614.2817
Bangladesh Jatiya Party621,7721.124
Islami Oikya Jote376,3430.682
Krishak Sramik Janata League261,3440.471
Jatiya Party (Manju)243,6170.441
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal119,3820.210
Communist Party of Bangladesh56,9910.100
Workers Party of Bangladesh40,4840.070
Bangladesh Islami Front30,7610.060
BASAD–Khalekuzzaman21,1640.040
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh19,2560.030
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan13,4720.020
Gano Forum8,4940.020
Islami Shasantantra Andolon5,9440.010
Liberal Party Bangladesh3,9760.010
National Awami Party (NAP)3,8010.010
Bangladesh Progressive Party3,7340.010
Ganatantri Party3,1900.010
Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal2,3080.000
Bangladesh Janata Party1,7030.000
Bangladesh Krisak Sramik Mukti Andolon1,2480.000
Jaker Party1,1810.000
Bangladesh Peoples Congress1,1550.000
Communist Kendra1,0420.000
Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist–Leninist)9720.000
Bangladesh Hindu League9220.000
Gano Azadi League7800.000
Jatiyo Janata Party (Adv. Nurul Islam Khan)6570.000
Bangladesh Muslim League (Jamir Ali)5820.000
National Patriotic Party5510.000
National Awami Party (Bhashani)4420.000
Bangladesh Jatiya Tanti Dal4410.000
Samridha Bangladesh Andolon4290.000
Sramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal3910.000
Bangladesh Peoples Party3820.000
Desh Prem Party3660.000
Democratic Republican Party3640.000
Bangladesh Manabadhikar Dal2370.000
Bangladesh Krisak Sramik Janata Party1970.000
Liberal Democrats Party1700.000
Quran Darshan Sangstha Bangladesh1610.000
Jatiya Janata Party (Sheik Asad)1480.000
Pragatishil Gonotantrik Shakti1360.000
Sama-Samaj Gonotantri Party1310.000
National Awami Party (NAP-Vasani Mushtaq)790.000
Quran and Sunnah Bastabayan Party770.000
Bhasani Front760.000
Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League590.000
Bangladesh Vasani Adarsha Bastabayan Parishad580.000
Bangladesh Sarbahara Party440.000
Jatiya Janata Party (Hafizur)300.000
Independents2,262,0734.066
Total55,736,625100.00300
Valid votes55,736,62599.20
Invalid/blank votes449,0820.80
Total votes56,185,707100.00
Registered voters/turnout74,946,36474.97
Source: ECB

Bangladesh Awami League won two-thirds majority in the parliament and won the 2008 general elections.

Party or allianceVotes%Seats+/–
Grand AllianceAwami League33,634,62948.04230+168
Jatiya Party (Ershad)4,926,3607.0427+13
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal506,6050.723+3
Workers Party of Bangladesh262,0930.372+2
Liberal Democratic Party191,6790.271New
Total39,521,36656.45263+186
Four Party
Alliance		Bangladesh Nationalist Party22,757,10132.5030–163
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami3,289,9674.702–15
Bangladesh Jatiya Party173,2920.251–3
Islami Oikya Jote108,4150.150–2
Total26,328,77537.6133–183
Islami Andolan Bangladesh658,2540.9400
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh175,2450.2500
Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh146,8270.210New
Zaker Party134,9330.1900
Jatiya Ganotantrik Party107,7960.150New
Krishak Sramik Janata League102,8790.150–1
Gano Forum72,9110.1000
Communist Party of Bangladesh42,3310.0600
Socialist Party of Bangladesh38,6430.0600
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD37,3500.050New
Bangladesh Islami Front31,7850.0500
Khelafat Majlish27,9210.040New
Bangladesh National Awami Party24,1410.030New
Bangladesh Kalayan Party21,6090.030New
Bangladesh Tarikat Federation19,9050.030New
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan16,9440.0200
Progressive Democratic Party14,2280.020New
National People's Party10,3480.010New
Bangladesh Jatiya Party8,3830.010New
Jatiya Party (Manju)7,8180.010–1
Bangladesh NAP4,3650.010New
People's Front4,0090.010New
United Citizens Movement3,5420.010New
Ganatantri Party2,5500.0000
Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh2,0210.000New
Bangladesh Muslim League1,1130.0000
Islamic Front Bangladesh1,0200.000New
Bangladesh Freedom Party5660.000New
Communist Party of Bangladesh (ML)2970.0000
Independents2,060,3922.944–2
None of the above381,9240.55––
Total70,012,191100.003000
Valid votes70,012,19199.10
Invalid/blank votes636,2940.90
Total votes70,648,485100.00
Registered voters/turnout81,087,00387.13
Source: ECB

In the 2014 general election, the Awami League was declared victors in 127 of the 154 uncontested seats by default on 5 January 2014.[11] Of the remaining uncontested seats, the Jatiya Party led by Rowshan Ershad won 20, the JSD won three, the Workers Party won two and the Jatiya Party (Manju) won one.[12]

As a result of violence and the opposition boycott voter turnout was 22%.[13][14] Results of 139 seats out of 147 were released, with the Awami League winning 105, the Jatiya Party winning 13, the Workers Party winning four, the JSD winning two and the Tarikat Federation and BNF winning one each.[12] The remaining 8 constituencies election were suspended due to violence and re-election to be held.[12] The newly elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January.[15]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Awami League36,173,88379.14234+1
Jatiya Party5,167,69811.3134+10
Workers Party of Bangladesh939,5812.066+4
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal798,6441.755+2
Jatiya Party (Manju)0.32+2
Bangladesh Tarikat Federation0.32+2
Bangladesh Nationalist Front4.71+1
Independents1515+13
Repoll ordered1–
Total3000
Valid votes45,710,58396.72
Invalid/blank votes1,551,5853.28
Total votes47,262,168100.00
Registered voters/turnout92,007,11351.37
Source: Parliament of Bangladesh, IFES

The 2018 general election held on 30 December 2018, voter turnout was 80%. Bangladesh Awami League under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina won their 4th term as the ruling party with 257 seats. The Jatiya Party became the main opposition party with only 22 seats.[16]

PartyVotes%Seats+/–
Awami League[i]63,523,06674.63257+23
Bangladesh Nationalist Party[ii]11,113,25313.066+6
Jatiya Party4,443,3515.2222–12
Islami Andolan Bangladesh1,255,3731.470–
Workers Party of Bangladesh[iii]646,0640.763–3
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal[iv]610,0440.722–3
Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh[v]565,9400.662+2
Nationalist Democratic Movement496,4270.580–
Bangladesh Tarikat Federation[vi]429,9550.511–1
Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal[vii]282,3130.331+1
Bangladesh Congress184,8230.220–
Jatiya Party (Manju)182,6110.211–1
Zaker Party109,4400.130–
Gano Forum103,5350.122+2
Bangladesh Islami Front60,3720.070–
Communist Party of Bangladesh55,4210.070–
National People's Party36,6110.040–
Islamic Front Bangladesh31,4680.040–
Liberal Democratic Party25,1520.030–
Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh18,0430.020–
Socialist Party of Bangladesh17,5910.020–
Bangladesh Muslim League15,1160.020–
Bangladesh Nationalist Front13,2890.020–1
Islami Oikya Jote11,3280.010–
Khelafat Majlish11,2030.010–
Bangladesh Khilafat Andolan9,7960.010–
Bangladesh National Awami Party8,3670.010–
Progressive Democratic Party6,1130.010–
Gano Front5,2770.010–
Bangladesh National Awami Party-Bangladesh NAP5,1760.010–
Bangladesh Jatiya Party4,6060.010–
Jatiya Ganotantrik Party3,7980.000–
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal-JSD3,1190.000–
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish2,8990.000–
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh2,3510.000–
Ganatantri Party1,6410.000–
Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Front (Muktijote)1,2190.000–
Krishak Sramik Janata League5970.000–
Communist Party of Bangladesh (M-L)3870.000–
Bangladesh Muslim League-BML2280.000–
Bangladesh Jatiya Party1110.000–
Bangladesh Kalyan Party550.000–
Independents816,9020.963–12
Total85,114,431100.003000
Registered voters/turnout104,142,381–
Source: ECS, ECS, ECS,
Daily Star, Financial Express, Dhaka Tribune,
Daily Star, Daily Star, parliament.gov.bd, IFES

Presidential elections[]

Main article: Presidential elections in Bangladesh

From independence until constitutional reform in 1991, the President was elected by popular vote, although this only happened on three occasions - 1978, 1981 and 1986.

Following constitutional reform and a return to a parliamentary democracy in 1991, the office of the President has been largely a ceremonial one. The President is elected by a vote in the Jatiya Sangsad. A Presidential term is for five-years, although they remain in office until their successor is elected. Elections under this system have taken place in 1991, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2013 and 2018.

Main article: 1978 Bangladeshi presidential election

The 1978 Bangladeshi presidential elections were held on 3 June 1978. They were the first direct elections for the post President, as the post had previously been elected by the Jatiya Sangsad. The result was a victory for Ziaur Rahman, who won 76.6% of the vote. Turnout was 54.3%.

Candidate Party Votes %
Ziaur Rahman Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Front 15,733,807 76.6
M. A. G. Osmani Ganatantrik Oikkya Jote 4,455,200 21.7
Eight other candidates 342,554 1.7
Invalid/blank votes 354,010 –
Total 20,885,571 100
Main article: 1981 Bangladeshi presidential election

The 1981 Bangladeshi presidential elections were held on 15 November 1981. The result was a victory for the incumbent acting President Abdus Sattar of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who received 65.5% of the vote, beating his principal challenger Kamal Hossain of the Awami League. Voter turnout was 54.3%.

Candidate Party Votes %
Abdus Sattar Bangladesh Nationalist Party 14,203,958 65.5
Kamal Hossain Bangladesh Awami League 5,636,113 26.0
Maulana Mohammudullah Independent 388,741 1.8
M. A. G. Osmani Independent 293,637 1.4
M. A. Jalil Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal 248,769 1.1
Muzaffar Ahmed NAP (M)-CPB 224,188 1.0
33 other candidates 682,154 3.2
Invalid/blank votes 332,524 –
Total 22,010,084 100
Main article: 1986 Bangladeshi presidential election

The 1986 Bangladeshi presidential elections were held on 15 October 1986. The result was a victory for incumbent Hussain Muhammad Ershad, who had assumed the office in 1983 following a military coup. Ershad reportedly won 84.1% of the vote with a voter turnout of 54.9%. However the elections were controversial as they were boycotted by all major opposition candidates and there were reports of irregularities.

Candidate Party Votes %
Hussain Muhammad Ershad Jatiya Party 21,795,337 84.1
Mauluna Mohammadullah Independent 1,510,456 5.8
Syed Faruque Rahman Bangladesh Freedom Party 1,202,303 4.6
Nine other candidates 1,408,195 5.4
Invalid/blank votes 380,745 –
Total 26,297,337 100

See also[]

  • Bangladesh Election Commission
  • Electoral calendar
  • Electoral system
  • List of Parliamentary constituencies in Bangladesh

Notes[]

  1. ^ The voting figures of the Awami League does not include the votes for 14 candidates of allied parties who contested on the Awami League 'boat' symbol
  2. ^ The voting figures of BNP includes all votes cast for candidates on the BNP 'sheaf of paddy' election symbol, including candidates belonging to allied parties
  3. ^ WPB fielded three candidates on its 'hammer' election symbol, who received 1,729 votes, and five candidates on the Awami League 'boat' symbol, who received 644,335 votes.
  4. ^ JASAD fielded nine candidates on its 'torch' election symbol, who received39,104 votes, and three candidates on the Awami League 'boat' symbol, who received 570940 votes.
  5. ^ Bikalpdhara Bangladesh fielded 23 candidates on its 'winnowing fan' election symbol, who received 18,183 votes, and three candidates on the Awami League 'boat' symbol, who received 547,757 votes.
  6. ^ Bangladesh Tarikat Federation fielded 16 candidates on its 'winnowing fan' election symbol, who received 6,087 votes, and two candidates on the Awami League 'boat' symbol, who received 423,868 votes.
  7. ^ One Bangladesh JASAD candidate ran on the Awami League 'boat' symbol.

References[]

  1. ^ Reserved parliamentary seats for women gets 25-year extension|Dhaka Tribune|8 July 2018
  2. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-23
  3. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-25
  4. ^ Craig Baxter (1971) "Pakistan Votes – 1970 Asian Survey, Vol. 11, No. 3, pp197–218
  5. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-27
  6. ^ "The Rule of General Zia". Bangladesh Awami League. Archived from the original on 26 May 2008. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  7. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-30
  8. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-33
  9. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-36
  10. ^ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page 40
  11. ^ "Clashes and boycott mar Bangladesh election". BBC News. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  12. ^ a b c "Repolls ordered in 8 constituencies". bdnews24.com. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
  13. ^ Barry, Ellen (5 January 2014). "Low Turnout in Bangladesh Elections Amid Boycott and Violence". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  14. ^ Barry, Ellen (6 January 2014). "Bangladesh ruling party wins after boycotted vote". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  15. ^ "Newly elected Bangladesh MPs sworn in". Al Jazeera English.
  16. ^ Hasan, Rashidul (5 January 2019). "Never-ending drama in JP". The Daily Star.

External links[]

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