Bangladesh Elections 2026: End of Dominant-Party Era? Coalition Politics on the Rise

• Bangladesh's upcoming general election on February 12, 2026, may lead to a hung parliament, signaling a shift from dominant-party politics to a coalition era.
• The change reflects domestic political upheaval and Bangladesh's growing strategic importance amid India–China–US competition in South Asia.
• The Awami League's decade-long dominance has ended, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) now the largest national party, though internal divisions limit its outright majority.
• A first-past-the-post system makes multi-cornered contests likely, increasing the probability of a hung parliament and potential policy gridlock due to underdeveloped coalition politics.
• Regional partners like India, China, and the US are closely watching, adapting to potential political uncertainty and its implications for stability, investments, and democratic processes.