Bangladesh 2026 Election: BNP-Jamaat Showdown as Awami League Opts Out

• Bangladesh's 2026 parliamentary election is highly polarized, with the ruling Awami League not participating.
• The contest has narrowed to a battle between the BNP-led opposition alliance and an 11-party Islamist bloc anchored by Jamaat-e-Islami.
• BNP-led alliance fields candidates in 272 constituencies, while Jamaat-e-Islami contests independently in 226 seats.
• Jamaat-e-Islami gained strategic support from Jatiya Party, despite the latter's limited independent role due to pressure.
• Jamaat-e-Islami leads the Islamist camp with nationwide organization, cadres, and funding, driving strategy and resource deployment.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's 2026 election is set for a polarized BNP-Jamaat clash, with the Awami League absent.