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From the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991, Bangladesh has a fading two-party system, which means that two political parties dominate the general elections, with extreme difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of another party. Since 2026, two dominant parties are Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

History

The current parliamentary system in the country was established in 1991 and is modelled after the Westminster system. Before this, the nation experienced a period of military rule from 1975 to 1990. In response to demands from the two major political parties, the Awami League (AL) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), a caretaker government was introduced in 1990 following the resignation of military ruler Lieutenant General Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Chief Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed was appointed as the Chief Advisor and oversaw the 1991 general election.

The caretaker government is led by a Chief Advisor who holds powers similar to those of a regular prime minister, except for defense matters. The Advisors function in roles akin to ministers. Following the 1991 elections, caretaker governments also facilitated the elections in 1996, 2001, and 2008. Initially intended to support the transition from authoritarianism to democracy, the caretaker system was institutionalized in 1996 by the Sixth Parliament due to increasing mistrust between the BNP and AL.

In 2011, the Awami League, then in power, abolished the caretaker government system. This decision has since been a significant point of contention between Awami League and Bangladesh Nationalist Party, contributing to ongoing political disputes.[1]

Composition of the Parliament

The Jatiya Sangsad is made up of 350 members, 300 members were elected by direct votes, and 50 women members were elected by the parties according to their popular voting percentage in the general election.[2]

Party Leader Ideology Political
position		 MPs Local governments Alliance Parliamentary
position
Cities Upazila Municipalities Villages
Bangladesh Nationalist Party Tarique Rahman Centre to
centre-right
246 / 350
1 / 1
 vacant vacant BNP+ Government
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Shafiqur Rahman Right-wing to far-right
77 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant 11 Parties Opposition
National Citizen Party Nahid Islam Centre
8 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant 11 Parties Opposition
Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Mamunul Haque Far-right
3 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant 11 Parties Opposition
Islami Andolan Bangladesh Syed Rezaul Karim Far-right
1 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant N/a Opposition
Khelafat Majlis Abdul Basit Azad Far-right
1 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant 11 Parties Opposition
Gono Odhikar Parishad Nurul Haque Nur Centre
1 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant BNP+ Government
Ganosanhati Andolan Zonayed Saki Egalitarianism
1 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant BNP+ Government
Bangladesh Jatiya Party Andaleeve Rahman Bangladeshi nationalism
1 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant BNP+ Confidence and supply
Independent politicians N/a N/a N/a
8 / 350
0 / 1
 vacant vacant N/a N/a

Coalitions

Democratic United Front

The Democratic United Front (Bengali: গণতান্ত্রিক যুক্তফ্রন্ট) is a coalition of ten left-wing political parties. It was formed on 29 November 2025.[3] Four of the member parties – the Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), and the Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal – are registered with the Bangladesh Election Commission. The remaining six parties are unregistered.[4]

National Democratic Front

The National Democratic Front (Bengali: জাতীয় গণতান্ত্রিক ফ্রন্ট, romanised: Jātīẏô Gôṇôtāntrik Phrônṭ, abbreviated: NDF) is a Bangladeshi multi-party political alliance led by the Anisul faction of the Jatiya Party (Ershad) and the Jatiya Party (Manju). It was founded on 8 December 2025, ahead of the 2026 general election.[5][6][7]

11 Party Alliance

The 11 Party Alliance (Bengali: ১১ দলীয় জোট), simply referred to as the 11 Parties, is a big tent electoral alliance of eleven political parties. The alliance is led by the Jamaat-e-Islami. The parties competed in the 2026 general election against the 10 party coalition of BNP.[8][9][10]

The Islami Andolan Bangladesh withdrew from the alliance, expressing dissatisfaction with the seat agreement.[12]

Defunct Coalitions

Grand Alliance

The Grand Alliance (Bengali: মহাজোট) was an alliance of political parties in Bangladesh that was formed in 2008. It consist of the Awami League, Jatiya Party (Ershad), Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Workers Party, Liberal Democratic Party, Jatiya Party (Manju), Bangladesh Tarikat Federation, Ganatantri Dol, Communist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist-Leninist) (Barua) and Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh.

The Liberal Democratic Party left the Grand Alliance before the election and contested independently. It joined the 18 Party Alliance in 2012.

20 Party Alliance

The 20 Party Alliance was a Bangladeshi big tent political coalition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).[13] It was originally formed as the 18 Party Alliance on 18 April 2012 in Dhaka, extending its predecessor the 4 Party Alliance.[14] The 18 Party Alliance was formed in an effort to strengthen the opposition's demands for restoring the caretaker government system used between 1996 and 2008. The main rival of this alliance is the Grand Alliance, led by Awami League, which came into power after the election in 2008.

Ganatantra Manch

Ganatantra Manch (Bengali: গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চ) was a political alliance consisting of six political parties in Bangladesh. The alliance announced its formation on 8 August 2024[15][16][17] and consisted of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab), the Nagorik Oikko, the Revolutionary Workers Party of Bangladesh, the Bhasani Anusari Parishad, the Rastro Songskar Andolon and the Ganosanhati Andolan.[18][19] The Gono Odhikar Parishad was initially with the alliance, but in May 2023, they left the alliance. The coalition effectively ceased to function after Rashtra Sanskar Andolon and several allied parties withdrew and began pursuing a new alliance with National Citizen Party.[20]

Left Democratic Alliance

The Left Democratic Alliance is an alliance of six leftist political parties including Communist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh, Socialist Party of Bangladesh (Marxist), Revolutionary Communist League of Bangladesh.[21]

United Front

The United Front was a coalition of political parties in East Bengal that contested and won Pakistan's first provincial general election to the East Bengal Legislative Assembly. The coalition consisted of the Awami Muslim League, the Krishak Praja Party, the Ganatantri Dal (Democratic Party), and Nizam-e-Islam.

Registered parties

These are all the parties that are currently registered under Election Commission.[22]

Regional parties

Name Founded Ideology Leader Political position
PCJSS Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti
পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম জনসংহতি সমিতি		 1972 Autonomy of the indigenous tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Shantu Larma Left-wing
UPDF United People's Democratic Front
ইউনাইটেড পিপলস ডেমোক্রেটিক ফ্রন্ট		 1998 Autonomy of the indigenous tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Prasit Bikash Khisa Left-wing
PCJSS-MN Larma Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (MN Larma) 2007 Autonomy of the indigenous tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Juddho Chakma Left-wing
UPDF-Democratic United People's Democratic Front (Democratic) 2017 Autonomy of the indigenous tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Tapan Jyoti Chakma Left-wing

Outlawed parties

Name Founded Ideology Leader Political position Legal status Note
Awami League 1949 Sheikh Hasina Big tent Suspended
Purba Banglar Communist Party 1968 Tipu Biswas Far-left Banned [31]
Purba Banglar Sarbahara Party 1971 Anwar Kabir Far-left Banned [32]
Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League 1975 Mujibism Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Big tent Banned [33]
Hizb ut-Tahrir 2000 Ata Abu Rashta (global) Far-right Outlawed [34]
Maoist Bolshevik Reorganization Movement of the Purba Bangla Sarbahara Party 2001 Far-left Outlawed [35][36]
Kuki-Chin National Front 2008 Kuki-Chin autonomy Nathan Bom Banned [37][38]

Unregistered parties

  • Bangladesh Freedom Party
  • Bangladesh Justice Party
  • Bangladesh Social Democratic Party
  • Bangladesh Popular Party
  • Bangladesh National Justice Party
  • Krishak Sramik Party
  • National Revolutionary Council
  • Nation State Movement
  • Bangala Saltanat Harakat
  • Muslim Bangali Resistance Council

Defunct parties

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bangladesh ends caretaker government arrangement". BBC News. 30 June 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ "নতুন জোট 'গণতান্ত্রিক যুক্তফ্রন্ট' গঠনের ঘোষণা" নতুন জোট ‘গণতান্ত্রিক যুক্তফ্রন্ট’ গঠনের ঘোষণা [Announcement of the formation of a new alliance, the 'Democratic United Front']. Bangladesh Pratidin. 29 Nov 2025. Archived from the original on 29 Nov 2025.
  4. ↑ "Registered political parties". Bangladesh Election Commission. Archived from the original on 3 Jan 2026. Retrieved 15 Jan 2026.
  5. ↑ "18 parties launch National Democratic Front". The Daily Star. December 8, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Anisul, Manju launch new 20-party National Democratic Front". jagonews24.
  7. ↑ "New alliance of 18 parties led by 2 Jatiya Party factions launched". Prothom Alo. 8 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "জামায়াতে ইসলামীর সাথে জোটে কওমি ঘরানার ৫ দল, শতাধিক আসন ছাড়ের প্রস্তাব". Daily Janakantha (in Bengali). Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  9. ↑ Al Zobayer, Abdullah (24 November 2024). "আসন সমঝোতা নিয়ে কৌশলী অবস্থান জামায়াতের". Prothom Alo (in Bengali).
  10. ↑ Shankar, Priyanka. "Bangladesh election: Who are the key players and parties?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2026-02-10.
  11. ↑ "জোটে 'ইনসাফ না পেয়ে' একক ভোটের ঘোষণা ইসলামী আন্দোলনের". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2026-01-16.
  12. ↑ "20 Party Alliance Support BNP Mayor Candidates". Prothom Alo. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  13. ↑ "Khaleda announces formation of 18 party alliance". The Independent (Bangladesh). Dhaka. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2012.
  14. ↑ বিএনপির ৭ মিত্র গড়লো ‘গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চ’. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). 9 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  15. ↑ আশাবাদী গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চের শরিকরা. Jugantor (in Bengali). 11 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  16. ↑ ‘গণবিক্ষোভের’ হুঁশিয়ারি গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চের. bdnews24.com (in Bengali). 11 August 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  17. ↑ ৭ দলের নতুন রাজনৈতিক শক্তি ‘গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চ’. jagonews24.com (in Bengali). 29 May 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  18. ↑ আসছে নতুন জোট ‘গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চ'. Deutsche Welle (in Bengali). 30 May 2022. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "বিএনপির মিত্র গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চ ভাঙল, রাষ্ট্র সংস্কার যাচ্ছে এনসিপির জোটে" বিএনপির মিত্র গণতন্ত্র মঞ্চ ভাঙল, রাষ্ট্র সংস্কার যাচ্ছে এনসিপির জোটে [BNP's ally, Ganatantra Manch, breaks up, state reforms are going to NCP alliance.]. bdtoday.net. 25 Nov 2025. Retrieved 10 Feb 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ↑ "Leftist parties form new Left Democratic Alliance as general election nears". bdnews24.com. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
  21. ↑ "Bangladesh Election Commission".
  22. ↑ Rizve, Saqlain (2 Jan 2025). "The Forgotten Opposition: Bangladesh's Left in the Shadow of Major Parties". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 31 Jan 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-02. However, in 1980 the party started to back away from the goal to establish a socialist society. Later in the 1990s they started to embrace nationalism.
  23. ↑ Attributed to multiple sources: Sarkar, Alisha Rahaman (2026-02-12). "Voters in Bangladesh are asking the same question – where are the female candidates?". The Independent. Archived from the original on 15 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-15. The election is tightly fought between the Bangladeshi Nationalist Party (BNP) and the far-right Jamaat-e-Islami party.Hasan, Mubashar (29 Dec 2025). "Why Mobs in Bangladesh Attacked the Offices of Daily Star and Prothom Alo". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 4 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-15. Bangladesh's ultra-nationalists, religious right and the far-right organizations, including the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-IslamiLiton, Shakhawat (2026-02-14). "A verdict of the hour". The Business Standard. Archived from the original on 15 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-15. Yet the results also indicate a significant consolidation of far-right voters. Jamaat now emerges as the principal opposition force, a development that will reshape parliamentary dynamics.Shishir, Joynal Abedin (2022-12-22). "New coalition emerges as BNP looks to bury Jamaat ties". The Business Standard. Archived from the original on 22 Dec 2022. Retrieved 2026-02-15. The BNP has been widely criticised in recent years for its ties with the far-right Islamist organisation Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh.Marof, Mehedi Hasan (20 Jan 2026). "Bangladeshi Gen Z toppled ex-PM Hasina. Now they could decide next leader". Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera Media Network. Archived from the original on 25 Jan 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-15. A far-right Islamist party, the Jamaat's opposition to Bangladesh's independence during the 1971 war has long limited its mainstream appeal.Purohit, Devadeep (29 Dec 2025). "How things have got worse for women of Bangladesh in Muhammad Yunus's regime". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 30 Dec 2025. Retrieved 15 Feb 2026. Not just a western educated liberal woman, the turn of events -- which can be linked to the rise of far-right political forces like the Jamaat-e-Islami and its associates -- has begun affecting ordinary women, many of whom had hit the streets against Hasina."Newsfront". Pakistan Forum. 2 (1): 20–25. 1971. ISSN 0315-7725 – via JSTOR. Ideologically these are the parties of the far-right who have always collaborated with the exploiting classes.
  24. 1 2 "Newsfront". Pakistan Forum. 2 (1): 20–25. 1971. ISSN 0315-7725 – via JSTOR. Ideologically these are the parties of the far-right who have always collaborated with the exploiting classes.
  25. ↑ "State reform should reflect faith of majority population: Khelafat Majslis". The Business Standard. 2024-11-15. Archived from the original on 10 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-10. State reform initiatives by the interim government should reflect the faith of the majority population of Bangladesh, far-right Islamist political party Khelafat Majlis said
  26. ↑ Das, Anupreeta; Hasnat, Saif (2026-02-15). "Islamist Party's Rise Overshadows Student Revolution in Bangladesh". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-15. More than 50 parties stood for election; many of them, like Islami Andolan Bangladesh, are far-right Islamist parties.
  27. ↑ "State reform should reflect faith of majority population: Khelafat Majslis". The Business Standard. 2024-11-15. Archived from the original on 10 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-02-10. State reform initiatives by the interim government should reflect the faith of the majority population of Bangladesh, far-right Islamist political party Khelafat Majlis said
  28. ↑ Hasan, Mubashar (29 Dec 2025). "Why Mobs in Bangladesh Attacked the Offices of Daily Star and Prothom Alo". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 4 Jan 2026. Bangladesh's ultra-nationalists, religious right and the far-right organizations, including the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Amar Bangladesh party
  29. ↑ Zakaria, AKM (6 Jan 2026). "A battle for centrist and right-wing votes". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 11 Jan 2026. As a result, NCP may become ideologically "purified" into a fully right-wing party.Rashid, Mamunur (29 Dec 2025). "NCP's gamble, Jamaat's gain?". The Daily Star. Archived from the original on 7 Jan 2026. From the very beginning, there has been a right-wing tilt among the NCP ranks.Parvez, Altaf (8 Jan 2026). "Elections and alliance politics: Fate of NCP and 'untimely demise' of new arrangement". Prothom Alo. Archived from the original on 12 Jan 2026. Within less than two years, right-wing politics, rather than reform-oriented issues, has taken the driver's seat in society. The NCP's latest decisions have only reinforced this trend.Agarwala, Tora; Paul, Ruma (29 Dec 2025). "Bangladesh's Gen-Z party faces revolt over Islamist alliance, risking its future". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2025-12-30. Retrieved 2026-02-14. It will give them a liberal cover, and in return, you will become a force for the right. Your centrist idea and ideology - already poorly defined - will simply vanish.
  30. ↑ "Purba Banglar Communist Party (PBCP) Terrorist Group, Bangladesh". South Asia Terrorism Portal. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  31. ↑ "Regional Information Base on Terrorism :: Terrorism news, Chronology, Organization Profiles". 22 February 2012. Archived from the original on 22 February 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  32. ↑ "Sheik Mujib's Single Party Is Banned by Bangladesh". New York Times. 31 August 1975. p. 31.
  33. ↑ "Hizb ut Tahrir Bangladesh wants withdrawal of its ban". New Age (Bangladesh). 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  34. ↑ "5 killed in series of 'gunfights'". Prothom Alo. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  35. ↑ Report, Star Online (5 November 2015). "3 killed in separate 'gunfights'". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  36. ↑ "Who are these Kuki-Chin armies in the CHT?". 10 April 2013. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  37. ↑ "In Chattogram Hill Tracts, a new group of armed insurgents is making waves. Who are they?". 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 2 May 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
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