Has democracy returned to Bangladesh?

Unlike previous polls, the 2026 parliamentary election marks a  turning point in Bangladesh, an important chapter in the  country's political and social history. The election was generally  viewed as a test of whether the nation could resume its  democratic norms following years of contentious elections,  boycotts, street clashes, and mounting public dissatisfaction.  Nearly 60 percent of the country's citizens exercised their right to  vote. Putting aside various concerns, the voting day was spent by  the citizens in celebration, enthusiasm, and new dreams for the  country. 

Under the interim administration, the Election Commission was  able to conduct an orderly and participatory process. In a country  where elections mean creating panic in the minds of the people,  this is no ordinary achievement. It has proven that Bangladesh is capable of holding peaceful and participatory elections. But ballot papers alone cannot ensure democratic practices  countrywide. The real question now is: will the moment of  returning to democratic processes through peaceful elections be limited to the transfer of power? Or will it be a real shift towards  just governance based on inclusion, institutional integrity, and  gender equality? 

Citizens line up at polling stations to cast their votes during the 2026  parliamentary election, reflecting strong democratic participation. Photo: Reuters 

The events leading to this election were extraordinary. For  decades, Bangladesh has experienced cycles of political  polarisation, institutional stagnation, and periodic mass  mobilisations. Yet, the July 2024 movement was different. It was  not confined to students or a particular demographic; it was a  national awakening. Citizens from diverse backgrounds united  under a single demand: reform, accountability, and an end to  monopolistic political domination. 

Youth participation is reshaping Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory. Photo: Dhaka  Tribune 

The election that followed this movement was not merely a  contest for parliamentary seats; it was a referendum on the state  itself. There was greater opposition participation in the 2026  elections than in previous cycles, and there was obvious competition in several areas, although Bangladesh Awami League  was banned from engaging in political activity or participating in  the election following its overthrow in 2024. Turnout statistics  indicated significant participation particularly among young  voters. Confidence that each competitor had an equal chance is  just as important to true healing as participation. 

The election appears to have reopened democratic space. It  brought back competitiveness, made power transfers easier, and  increased political engagement. These accomplishments are not  insignificant. Even small advances matter after a protracted  argument. The victory of the BNP alliance, therefore, is more  than a transfer of power. It is a moral affirmation of the people's  agency and a symbolic reclamation of the democratic space that  had been eroded over years of partisanship. 

Election officials seal ballot boxes under the  supervision of the Election Commission during the  national election. Photo: AFP 

However, this victory carries a dual weight. There is joy and  exhilaration of having exercised the right to vote in a fair,  transparent, and meaningful manner. On the other hand, there is  an overwhelming expectation that the new government must  immediately address systemic deficiencies and restore public  faith in the state machinery. 

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman,  has won more than a two-thirds majority in the 13th National  Parliament. In a post-election press conference, Tarique Rahman  called on everyone to remain united. He said: ‘Paths and opinions  may differ, but we are all one in the interest of the country.’ He  also valued the views of every democratic political party  participating in the election to ensure no evil force can establish  fascism in the country. These bold statements and acts from a  political leader are rare from the perspective of Bangladesh.

The opposition party has been welcomed to form a shadow  cabinet. Even the deputy speaker position has been kept for the  opposition. The government is thinking of reforming government  institutions on the basis of democratic and constitutional  principles. The peaceful coexistence of the ruling party and the  opposition party gives us a message of democratic practice, like  Western democracy. If civil and constitutional liberties are  ensured, then we may say that the 2026 election has opened a  door for democracy in Bangladesh. 
Tarique Rahman greets supporters in Dhaka after his  party won the national parliamentary election. Photo:  Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP 

However, consolidation and restoration are not the same thing. If  institutions continue to be personalised, if opposition voices feel  uneasy, or if legislative frameworks limit free discussion,  democratic recovery is vulnerable. Either new forms of  dominance can be established or democratic norms can be rebuilt  with a powerful legislative majority. The decision will depend on  how power is used in the years to come. 

Certainly, 2026 may be seen as the start of democratic  transformation if the new administration fortifies parliamentary  oversight, changes electoral legislation to improve openness,  safeguard media independence, and guarantees judicial  autonomy. However, the promise of restoration may wane if  institutions become too tightly aligned with administrative  authority and competition narrows once more. 

To ensure continuity of the democratic journey, the government  needs to follow some rules and norms. The aspirations of more  than one-third of the population’s youth add another dimension  to this mandate. For young Bangladeshis, democracy is not just  the right to vote every five years – it is equality of opportunity,  merit and the assurance that talent will be recognised regardless  of social or political background. To address this problem, the  government needs to institutionalise transparent, merit-based recruitment in government jobs, while simultaneously creating  entrepreneurship among the youth. Corruption has become the  single most damaging factor in eroding public trust. 
Mass protests during the 2024 political movement  reflected widespread public demand for reform and  democratic accountability. Photo: Rajib Dhar/AP 

The BNP-led government entered office with a clear promise to  restore democratic practices and ensure peaceful coexistence.  While it is far too early to draw definitive conclusions, the initial  signals have generated cautious optimism among citizens who  have long sought a more competitive and participatory political  environment. Early gestures toward dialogue, administrative  restraint and institutional normality matter because they set the  tone for what follows. 

Restoration, if it is to be genuine, must endure beyond the initial  celebratory period. It will be measured by how the government  treats dissent, how parliament functions, how courts assert  independence and how institutions resist partisan capture. The  vote in 2026 was a significant step. If the current trajectory  continues and reforms deepen over time, it may indeed be  remembered as the beginning of a true democratic recovery. The  coming five years will determine whether this moment becomes a  milestone or merely a hopeful pause in Bangladesh’s political  journey.