THE unprecedented share of votes secured by right-wing political parties in the national elections presents a series of urgent questions for progressive political forces about strategy, engagement and the trajectory of politics. Election Commission figures show that the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has secured 31.76 per cent of the total vote, a historic high, and won 68 parliamentary seats, far surpassing its previous best of 18. While the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has emerged as the largest party with 49.97 per cent of the vote and 209 seats, the combined performance of Islamist parties underscores a significant right-ward shift in the electoral landscape. The political vacuum created after the fall of the Awami League and the prohibition on its participation in the polls does not fully explain this surge in support for conservative and religion-based parties. A combination of factors appears to have been at play. Years of authoritarian governance and heavy-handed treatment of Islamist groups generated sympathy among segments of the electorate. At the same time, the rhetoric of clean governance, completely untested though, resonated with voters weary of corruption and administrative failures under successive governments. The ability of these parties to mobilise religious sentiment has also proved particularly effective among voters seeking alternatives to the established political order.
The scale of the gains made by Islamist parties warrants careful reflection from democratic actors. The relatively moderate tone adopted by these parties during the campaign appears largely tactical. Over the 18 months, there have been repeated incidents in which extremist elements attacked Sufi shrines, rejected proposals of the women’s affairs reform commission and targeted female professionals and liberal voices online. Cultural institutions and media outlets have also been attacked and faced threats from right-wing groups that view them as incompatible with their ideological outlook. While such actions cannot always be directly attributed to any particular party or party leadership, the absence of unequivocal condemnation has fuelled concern about their commitment to pluralism and democratic norms. The broader implication is clear: countering the advance of right-wing politics is neither a short-term nor a purely electoral task. Democratically oriented parties and civil society organisations should recognise that the most effective response lies not in confrontation or violence, but in rebuilding public trust through accountable governance, institutional integrity and a credible commitment to civil liberties. Strengthening democratic practices, addressing corruption and ensuring inclusive economic opportunities are essential to undercut the appeal of reactionary narratives.
The election results, therefore, serve both as a warning and an opportunity — a warning about consequences of political disillusionment and an opportunity for progressive forces to renew their agenda around transparency, rights and democratic resilience. Only through sustained political engagement and principled governance can the country prevent a further slide towards illiberalism and preserve its pluralistic foundations and birth-time promises.
