Bangladesh’s Jamaat-e-Islami has accepted the results of Thursday’s national election, despite earlier raising concerns over vote counting. The elections followed the deadly 2024 uprising.
According to the Election Commission, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide, securing 212 seats. The Jamaat-led alliance won 77 seats, a significant rise from previous elections.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, 67, had initially promised to “seek redress” over alleged inconsistencies and fabrications in the vote count. On Saturday, he conceded defeat and recognized the overall outcome.
“In any genuine democratic journey, the true test of leadership is not only how we campaign, but how we respond to the verdict of the people,” Rahman said. “We recognize the overall outcome, and we respect the rule of law.”
Rahman also confirmed that Jamaat would actively participate in parliament as an opposition party. “We will serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition, holding the government accountable,” he said. He emphasized the party’s commitment to democratic culture, citizens’ rights, and building a just state.
The interim leader Muhammad Yunus, 85, who has served as Bangladesh’s chief adviser since the 2024 uprising, congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on the victory. Yunus said Tarique Rahman “would help guide the country toward stability, inclusiveness, and development.”
Shafiqur Rahman highlighted Jamaat’s historic gain. “With 77 seats, we have nearly quadrupled our parliamentary presence and become one of the strongest opposition party blocs in modern Bangladeshi politics. That is not a setback. That is a foundation,” he said.
The Jamaat-e-Islami pledged to continue peaceful and principled politics. Rahman stressed that the movement is about strengthening democracy, not just winning elections.
Observers noted that the Jamaat’s performance positions it as a key player in holding the government accountable, shaping debates, and influencing policy as an active opposition party in Bangladesh.
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