The recent general election in Bangladesh, held on February 12, 2026, marks a significant political shift following the student-led uprising of 2024 that ousted long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies secured a decisive victory, winning 212 out of 300 seats, as reported by Middle East Eye. This election, described by Global Voices as a 'landmark democratic exercise,' is the first competitive vote in nearly two decades. However, the exclusion of Hasina's Awami League from the election underlines a paradox in the democratic process, raising questions about the legitimacy of the election. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, had barred the Awami League following allegations of electoral manipulation and human rights violations during Hasina's tenure, according to Middle East Eye.