Before the elections, political consultants in Dhaka openly said that this could be its strongest electoral performance since independence.
New Delhi: Weeks before the February 12 general election in Bangladesh, few parties commanded as much confidence as the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Before the election, political observers in Dhaka openly predicted that this could be its strongest electoral performance since independence. The party itself indicated that it was capable of not only participating but also forming a central government.
Yet, when the Tarique Rahman-led BNP declared victory and foreign governments issued congratulatory messages, the Jamaat took a different tone. On Friday, a day after voting, the party stated that it had “serious questions about the integrity of the results process.”
The Jamaat said in a statement, “We are not happy with the process surrounding the election results,” adding that official results had not yet been released and urging “patience from everyone.”
However, the immediate political momentum shifted toward the BNP. The BNP won a landslide victory in the first election since the deadly 2024 uprising that transformed the country’s political system. Its leader, Tarique Rahman, is poised to become Prime Minister.
Even before the final count was announced, the United States Embassy in Dhaka congratulated Rahman and the BNP for their “historic victory.”
For Jamaat, the result represented a sharp reversal of expectations.
Early Advantage That Dissipated
Due to the student-led uprising that toppled the Awami League government in July 2024, Jamaat was considered to have considerable organizational momentum immediately after the government’s fall. The party was a key force in the street protests that culminated in the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.
With the Awami League banned from contesting elections and its leadership out of power, the political field narrowed significantly. For the first time in years, Jamaat was no longer operating on the margins.
There was also a tactical opening. Tarique Rahman’s late entry into the electoral race. For a time, Jamaat benefited from this delay, strengthening support in constituencies where the BNP’s campaign infrastructure had not yet fully developed.
But that initial advantage proved temporary. As the campaign intensified, many of the voter groups that Jamaat had hoped to attract shifted entirely.
Young Bangladeshis, many of whom had led the July uprising, overwhelmingly voted for the BNP rather than Jamaat. Women voters did not turn to Jamaat in the numbers its leadership had hoped. Minority communities, including Hindus, also rallied behind the BNP.
Notably, Awami League voters who decided to participate in the elections did not turn to Jamaat. Instead, they switched to the BNP.
The United States Factor
Jamaat’s campaign began against the backdrop of reports in The Washington Post that American diplomats were trying to foster dialogue with the party. The newspaper cited audio recordings it had obtained, suggesting this was a discreet effort. It also reported that an American diplomat had downplayed concerns that Jamaat would try to impose its own interpretation of Islamic law.
The report changed the tone of the campaign.
Senior BNP leader and Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, during an election roadshow in Thakurgaon, alleged that Jamaat had reached a secret agreement with the United States. He warned that any such agreement could threaten Bangladesh’s peace, stability, and sovereignty. Jamaat did not confirm any formal deal but continued diplomatic talks. The party described the meeting with foreign envoys as routine ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election.
In a statement following the meeting with Western diplomats, Jamaat said the talks took place in a “very good and friendly atmosphere,” covering issues of “free, fair, and acceptable” elections and mutual benefit. It stated that both sides expressed hope that the elections would strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in Bangladesh, and that trade, commerce, and cooperation would become more dynamic.
French Ambassador to Dhaka, Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet, along with Deputy Ambassador Frederic Inza and Economic Advisor Julien Durr, also met with Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman at the party’s central office. Jamaat also commented on the meeting in a similar manner, noting discussions on the upcoming elections and mutual cooperation.
Rebranding of a Radical Past
Islamic scholar Syed Abul Ala Maududi founded Jamaat-e-Islami in 1941. Jamaat opposed Bangladesh’s independence and sided with West Pakistan during the 1971 Liberation War. Its leaders were involved in the formation of paramilitary groups such as Razakars, Al-Badr, and Al-Shams, which were accused of killing thousands of civilians, raping millions of women, and targeting the Hindu community.
After independence, the party was banned in 1972 for misusing religion for political purposes. The ban was lifted in 1979. Jamaat later formed an alliance with the BNP and held ministerial positions.
During Sheikh Hasina’s government from 2009 to 2024, Jamaat leaders were tried at the International Crimes Tribunal. Prominent leaders such as Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid were hanged. In 2013, the Bangladesh High Court cancelled Jamaat’s registration, citing conflict with the constitution.
Its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, remained active during this period, confronting opponents and exerting influence on madrasas. Jamaat spent 15 years politically isolated.
After the July 2024 uprising, that isolation ended. Jamaat reorganized itself, re-entered formal politics, and began presenting itself as “pro-uprising” and “anti-fascist.” It promoted minority rights, fielded its first Hindu candidate, and moderated public references to Sharia law.
In election campaign speeches, Shafiqur Rahman declared: “Together—women and men—we will build the Bangladesh of tomorrow.”
He warned that violence against women would not be tolerated and promised that once justice was achieved, corruption, extortion, terrorism, murder, rape, and bank robberies would cease. He called for a “justice-based, discrimination-free Bangladesh” and urged voters to support the candidates of the 10-party alliance led by Jamaat.
He also compared the Jamaat to the BNP, saying that if the 10-party alliance is elected, it will be a “victory”.