Elections in Bangladesh
This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Bangladesh |
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Constitution and law |
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Elections in Bangladesh gives information on election and election results in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh elects on national level a legislature with one house or chamber. The unicameral Jatiyo Sangshad, meaning national parliament, has 350 members of which 300 members are directly elected through a national election for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies while 50 memberships are reserved for the women who are selected by the ruling party or coalition. The Prime Minister is the head of the government. The president who is the head of the state is elected by the National Parliament. The president of Bangladesh is a ceremonial post and he/she does not exercise any control over the running of the state.
Bangladesh has an unofficial two-party system which has evolved over time since the election of 1991. It means that there are two dominant political parties or coalitions, with extreme difficulty for anybody to achieve electoral success under the banner of any other party in terms is single majority.
Parliamentary elections
The Parliament of Bangladesh (Jatiyo Sangsad) consists of 350 members elected to five-year terms. Of that number, 300 are elected in single-member territorial constituencies according to the First-Past-the-Post electoral system. The remaining 50 seats are reserved for women, and are filled on the basis of proportional representation by a vote of the 300 members.
2014 parliamentary election
Next parliamentary election
As the 10th Assembly of Parliament first sat on 29 January 2014 the next elections for the Bangladesh Parliament are to be held no later than 28 January 2019.
Previous parliamentary elections
Since 1971, ten parliamentary elections have been held in Bangladesh.
General elections
The election was held on 7 December 1970. The total number of voters were 29,479,386. The number of casting votes was 17,005,163 (57.68%), the valid casting votes was 1,64,54,278.[1]
Serial | Political Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | Percentage | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Awami League | 162 | 160 | 1,23,38,921 | 74.9% | Boat |
2 | PPP | 79 | 1 | 4,83,571 | 2.9% | |
3 | Nijame Islami | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0% | |
4 | Jamaat-e-Islami | 70 | 0 | 9,91,908 | 6% | |
5 | Pakistan Muslim League (Convention) | 93 | 0 | 4,64,185 | 2.8% | |
6 | Pakistan Muslim League (Kou) | 50 | 0 | 2,74,453 | 1.6% | |
7 | Pakistan Muslim League (Kayum) | 65 | 0 | 1,75,822 | 1% | |
8 | National Awami Party (Wali) | 39 | 0 | 3,10,986 | 1.8% | |
9 | Independent (politician) | 114 | 1 | 5,61,083 | 3.4% |
Serial | Political Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | Percentage | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Awami League | 300 | 288 | 89% | Boat | |
2 | PDP | 2 | 1% | |||
3 | Nijame Islami | 1 | ||||
4 | Jamaat-e-Islami | 1 | 3% | |||
5 | Pakistan Muslim League (Convention) | 0 | 1% | |||
6 | Pakistan Muslim League (Kou) | 0 | 0.05% | |||
7 | Pakistan Muslim League (Kayum) | 0 | 0.05% | |||
8 | National Awami Party (Wali) | 1 | 0.9% | |||
9 | Independent (politician) | 7 | 5% |
Serial | Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | % | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Awami League | 300 | 293 | 1,37,93,717 | 73.2% | Boat |
2 | Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal | 237 | 1 | 12,29,110 | 6.52% | Torch |
3 | National Awami Party (Mozaffar) | 224 | 0 | 15,69,299 | 8.33% | Hut |
4 | National Awami Party (Bhasani) | 169 | 0 | 10,02,771 | 3% | Sheaf of Paddy |
5 | Communist Party of Bangladesh | 4 | 0 | 47,211 | 0.25% | Key |
6 | Communist Party of Bangladesh (L) | 2 | 0 | 18,619 | 0.1% | Bullock Cart |
7 | Bangladesh Jatiyo League | 8 | 1 | 62,354 | 0.33% | Plough |
8 | Banglar Communist Party | 3 | 0 | 11,911 | 0.06% | Axe |
Serial | Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | % | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 298 | 207 | 79,34,236 | 41.16% | Sheaf of Paddy |
2 | Awami League(Malek) | 295 | 39 | 47,34,277 | 24.55% | Boat |
3 | Awami League(Mizan) | 184 | 2 | 5,53,426 | 2.72% | Ladder |
4 | Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal | 240 | 8 | 9,31,851 | 4.84% | Torch |
5 | Bangladesh Muslim League and Islamic Democratic League | 266 | 20 | 19,41,394 | 10.08% | Lantern (Hurricane) |
6 | National Awami Party (Mo) | 89 | 1 | 4,32,514 | 2.25% | Hut |
7 | National Awami Party (Naser) | 28 | 0 | 25,336 | 0.14% | Rose |
8 | National Awami Party (Nuru Jahid) | 38 | 0 | 88,385 | 0.46% | Lamp |
9 | Communist Party of Bangladesh | 11 | 0 | 75,455 | 0.39% | Key |
10 | United Peoples Party | 70 | 0 | 1,70,955 | 0.89% | Bullock Cart |
11 | Bangladesh Jatiyo League | 14 | 2 | 69,319 | 0.36% | Plough |
12 | Bangladesh Gono Front | 46 | 2 | 1,15,622 | 0.60 | Bicycle |
13 | Jatioybadi Gonotantrik Dal | 29 | 0 | 27,259 | 0.14 | Fish |
14 | Shramik Krishak Samajbadi Dal | 2 | 0 | 4,954 | 0.02 | Umbrella |
15 | Bangladesh Samyabadi Dal | 20 | 1 | 74,771 | 0.39 | |
16 | Bangladesh Gonotantrik Andolon | 16 | 0 | 7,738 | 0.04 | Chair |
17 | Bangladesh Labour Party | 18 | 1 | 34,259 | 0.17 | Clock |
18 | Jatioy Janata Party | 9 | 0 | 10,932 | 0.06 | Mango |
19 | Bangladesh Jatioy Dal(Huda) | 6 | 0 | 0 | Date Tree | |
20 | Bangladesh Gonotantrik Dal | 5 | 0 | 3,564 | 0.01 | |
21 | Jatiyo Ekata Party | 3 | 1 | 44,459 | 0.23 | Inkpot |
22 | Peoples Democratic Party | 3 | 0 | 5,703 | 0.02 | Horse |
23 | Bangladesh Janat Mukti Party | 3 | 0 | 3,363 | 0.01 | Spade |
24 | Jatiotabadi Gonotantrik Chashi Dal | 2 | 0 | 130 | 0.01 | Elephant |
25 | United Republican Party | 2 | 0 | 389 | 0.01 | Pineaple |
26 | Bangladesh Gono Ajadi League | 1 | 0 | 1,378 | 0.01 | Aeroplane |
27 | Bangladesh Nejame Islami | 1 | 0 | 1,575 | 0.01 | Candle |
28 | Bangladesh Tati Samity | 1 | 0 | 1,8340 | 0.01 | Pitcher |
29 | National Republican Party | 1 | 0 | 14,429 | 0.07 | Cow |
30 | Independent | 422 | 16 | 19,63,345 | 10.10% |
Serial | Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | % | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jatiya Party | 299 | 251 | 1,76,80,133 | 68.44% | Plough |
2 | Bangladesh Awami League | 256 | 76 | 74,62,157 | 26.15% | Boat |
3 | Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh | 76 | 10 | 13,14,057 | 4.60% | Balance Scale |
4 | Communist Party of Bangladesh | 9 | 5 | 2,59,728 | 0.91% | |
5 | National Awami Party (Mozaffar) | 10 | 2 | 3,68,979 | 1.29% | |
6 | National Awami Party | 5 | 3,68,979 | 1.29% | ||
7 | Bangladesh Krishok Shromik Awami League | 6 | 3 | 1,91,107 | 0.67% | |
8 | Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (Rob) | 4 | 7,25,303 | 2.54% | ||
9 | Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (Siraj) | 14 | 3 | 2,48,705 | 2.54% | |
10 | Bangladesh Muslim League | 4 | 4,12,765 | 1.45% | Hariken | |
11 | Bangladesh Workers Party | 3 | 1,51,828 | 0.53% | ||
11 | Independent | 453 | 32 | 46,19,025 | 16.19% | |
12 | Others | 4,90,389 | 1.73% |
Serial | Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | % | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Jatiya Party | 299 | 251 | 1,76,80,133 | 68.44% | Plough |
2 | Combined Opposition Party | 269 | 19 | 32,63,340 | 12.63% | |
3 | Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (Siraj) | 25 | 3 | 3,09,666 | 1.20% | |
4 | Freedom Party | 112 | 2 | 8,50,284 | 0.94% | Axe |
5 | Others | 214 | 25 | 34,87,457 | 13.50% |
Serial | Party | Total Candidates | Seats | Votes | % | Symbol |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 300 | 140 | 1,05,07,549 | 30.81% | Sheaf of Paddy |
2 | Bangladesh Awami League | 264 | 88 | 1,02,59,866 | 30.08% | Boat |
3 | Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami | 222 | 18 | 41,17,737 | 12.2% | Balance Scale |
4 | Jatiyo Party | 272 | 35 | 40,63,537 | 11.92% | Plough |
5 | Jaker Party (JDP) | 251 | 0 | 4,17,737 | 1.22% | Rose |
Following boycotts by the main opposition party Bangladesh Awami League, BNP won the uncontested elections. However, amidst protests, they were made to cave into Awami League's original demands, dissolve the parliament, and hold elections under a neutral caretaker government after the enactment of the 13th amendment.
Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 300 | +160 | ||
Total | 11,776,481 | 100 | 300 | 0 |
Source: Nohlen et al. |
Bangladesh Awami League won the general elections for the first time since 1973 by forming a coalition government, since they fell 5 seats short of a majority.
Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bangladesh Awami League | 15,882,792 | 37.4 | 146 | New |
Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 14,255,986 | 33.6 | 116 | -34 |
Jatiya Party | 6,954,981 | 16.4 | 32 | New |
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh | 3,653,013 | 8.6 | 3 | New |
Islami Oikkya Jote | 461,517 | 1.1 | 1 | New |
Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Rab) | 97,916 | 0.2 | 1 | New |
74 other parties | 662,451 | 1.6 | 0 | 0 |
Independents | 449,618 | 1.1 | 1 | -9 |
Invalid/blank votes | 462,302 | - | - | - |
Total | 42,880,576 | 100 | 300 | 0 |
Source: Nohlen et al. |
BNP won two-third majority in the parliament and won the elections.
Parties | Votes | % | Seats |
---|---|---|---|
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Dal) | 23,074,714 | 41.40 | 193 |
Bangladesh Awami League | 22,310,276 | 40.02 | 62 |
Jatiya Party (Ershad)
|
4,023,962 | 7.22 | 14 |
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh | 2,385,361 | 4.28 | 17 |
Jatiya Party (Naziur) | 521,472 | 0.94 | 4 |
Islami Oikya Jote | 312,868 | 0.56 | 2 |
Krishak Shramik Janata League | 261,344 | 0.47 | 2 |
Jatiya Party (Manju) | 243,617 | 0.44 | 1 |
Non-partisan and others | 2,262,045 | 4.06 | 6 |
vacant | - | 2 | |
Total (turnout 74.9 %) | 55,728,162 | 100.0 | 300 |
Rejected votes | 441,871 | ||
Total votes | 56,169,233 | ||
Registered voters | 74,951,319 | ||
Source: Bangladesh Election Commission through Adam Carr and Daily Star |
Bangladesh Awami League won two-third majority in the parliament and won the elections.
Alliance | Party | Votes | % | Seats | Change | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Alliance | Bangladesh Awami League | 33,887,451 | 49.0% | 230 | +168 | |
Jatiya Party | 4,867,377 | 7.0% | 27 | +16 | ||
Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal | 429,773 | 0.6% | 3 | +2 | ||
Workers Party of Bangladesh | 214,440 | 0.3% | 2 | +1 | ||
Liberal Democratic Party | 161,372 | 0.2% | 1 | ±0 | ||
Four Party Alliance | Bangladesh Nationalist Party | 22,963,836 | 33.2% | 30 | –163 | |
Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh | 3,186,384 | 4.6% | 2 | –15 | ||
Bangladesh Jatiya Party-BJP | 95,158 | 0.1% | 1 | –4 | ||
Islami Oikya Jote | - | - | - | - | ||
Independents and others | 3,366,858 | 4.9% | 4 | –2 | ||
Total | 69,172,649 | 99.99% | 300 | |||
Source: Electoral Commission of Bangladesh seat-wise tally Election commission homepage |
As a result of violence and the opposition boycott voter turnout was 22%.[12][13] Results of 139 seats out of 147 were released, with the Awami League winning 105, the Jatiya Party winning 13, the Workers Party winning four, the JSD winning two and the Tarikat Federation and BNF winning one each.[11] The remaining 8 constituencies election were suspended due to violence and re-election to be held.[11] The newly elected MPs were sworn in on 9 January.[14]
Party | Votes | % | Seats | ± | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Awami League | 36,173,883 | 79.14 | 234 | +1 | |
Jatiya Party (Ershad) | 5,167,698 | 11.31 | 34 | +10 | |
Workers Party | 939,581 | 2.06 | 6 | +4 | |
Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal | 798,644 | 1.75 | 5 | +2 | |
Jatiya Party (Manju) | 0.3 | 2 | +2 | ||
Bangladesh Tarikat Federation | 0.3 | 2 | +2 | ||
Bangladesh Nationalist Front | 0.3 | 1 | +1 | ||
Independents | 4.7 | 15 | +13 | ||
Repoll ordered | – | – | 1 | – | |
Invalid/blank votes | 1,551,585 | – | – | – | |
Total | 47,262,168 | 100 | 300 | 0 | |
Registered voters/turnout | 92,007,113 | 51.37 | – | – | |
Sources: Parliament of Bangladesh, IFES |
Presidential elections
From independence until constitutional reform in 1991, the president was elected by popular vote, although this only happened on three occasions - 1978, 1981 and 1986.
Following constitutional reform and a return to a parliamentary democracy in 1991, the office of president has been largely a ceremonial one. They are elected by a vote of MPs for a five-year term, although they remain in office until their successor is elected. Elections under this system have taken place in 1991, 1996, 2001, 2002, 2009 and 2013.
See also
References
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-23
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-25
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-27
- ↑ http://www.albd.org/aldoc/50years_16.htm
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-30
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-33
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-36
- ↑ Bangladesher Nirbachan 1970-2001 by A S M Samsul Arefin, Bangladesh Research and Publications, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2003, page-40
- ↑ www.ecs.gov.bd
- ↑ "Clashes and boycott mar Bangladesh election". BBC News. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- 1 2 3 "Repolls ordered in 8 constituencies". bdnews24.com. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ↑ Barry, Ellen (5 January 2014). "Low Turnout in Bangladesh Elections Amid Boycott and Violence". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
- ↑ Barry, Ellen (6 January 2014). "Bangladesh ruling party wins after boycotted vote". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
- ↑ "Newly elected Bangladesh MPs sworn in". Al Jazeera English.