The 54-year journey of Bangladesh’s political history is very diverse, dramatic and conflict-ridden. Starting from the achievement of independence in 1971 to today’s 2026 parliamentary elections, the country has gone through many ups and downs.
Independent Bangladesh emerged on the map through a bloody war in 1971. Since then, Bangladesh’s politics have sometimes received the cool breeze of democracy, and sometimes been gripped by military rule and dictatorship. Today, in 2026, when Bangladesh stands on the verge of a new parliamentary election, looking back, we see a long and turbulent history.
After independence, the work of rebuilding the country began under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. A modern and democratic constitution was formulated in 1972. However, in the face of famine, corruption and political instability in the war-torn country, the one-party ‘Bakshal’ system was introduced in early 1975. But on August 15 of that year, Bangabandhu and his family were assassinated in a shameful episode in history, which completely changed the course of Bangladeshi politics.
After Bangabandhu’s assassination, military officials came to the center of power amid political instability. After coming to power in 1977, Army Chief Ziaur Rahman reintroduced multi-party democracy and formed the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). He was also killed in a military coup in 1981. Then in 1982, Lt. General HM Ershad seized power. His long nine-year rule was tumultuous with anti-dictatorship movements. On December 6, 1990, he was forced to resign in the face of a mass uprising by students and the public.
Then began the democratic era and the struggle of the ‘two leaders’ (1991–2006). Bangladesh returned to parliamentary democracy through elections under a neutral caretaker government in 1991. Then began a new chapter in the governance of the country with the alternation of Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina. The BNP government ruled from 1991-96 under the leadership of Khaleda Zia. Then came the victory of the Awami League under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina from 1996-2001 and the return of the Awami League to power after a long 21 years. From 2001-2006, the BNP-Jamaat alliance was revived. Although there was significant progress in the economy of Bangladesh during this period, political vendettas and street clashes between the two main parties were routine.
Then began the long rule of One-Eleven and the Awami League (2007-2024). In 2007, taking advantage of the political deadlock, a caretaker government supported by the army took power. The Awami League government led by Sheikh Hasina came to power again with a victory in the 2008 elections. However, the Awami League maintained its absolute dominance in Bangladesh for the next 15 years. The widespread debate and boycott of the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections added a new dimension to the country’s political crisis. Although Sheikh Hasina’s rule saw unprecedented infrastructural development (such as the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, and nuclear power plants), allegations of human rights and suppression of the opposition were discussed worldwide.
In July 2024, Sheikh Hasina resigned and left the country on August 5 in the face of an unprecedented mass uprising by students and the public that began with the quota reform movement. Then, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
This government took responsibility for fundamental reforms of the state, the restructuring of the Election Commission, and the trial of irregularities of the last 15 years.
On February 12, 2026, Bangladesh faced one of the most important parliamentary elections in its history. According to political analysts, this election was not only a test of government change, but also a radical reform of Bangladesh’s democratic structure and the fulfillment of the political aspirations of the new generation. The BNP won two-thirds of the seats in the general election held on February 12, securing an absolute majority. The party led by Tarique Rahman is returning to power after two decades.
Through this election, political parties will also have to understand that if politics is a symbol of people’s hope and confidence, it must be reflected not only on the tarred roads of Dhaka, but also on the dirt roads of every union. Bangladeshi politics is now the dream of ‘Gen-G’ or the new generation of politics. In this long journey of 54 years, Bangladesh has proven that the people of this country know how to turn around in times of crisis. Voting is not just a process of transferring power, but an important test of determining the democratic future of Bangladesh. Politics should not be a distant matter, not just in newspapers, but should enter into life.
(Data collection and writing, Rakibul Islam Rafi, Epic Verse Journal)