In the seventh parliamentary election on 12 June 1996, Jatiya Party (JaPa) was the country’s third-largest contender, securing 16.40 percent of the votes. Three decades later, its position has reversed sharply.
In last week’s 13th parliamentary election, JaPa’s vote share plunged to 0.89 percent – below one percent.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, by contrast, moved in the opposite direction. In 1996, it had secured 8.61 percent of the vote. In the 2026 election, that rose to 31.76 percent – an increase of 23.15 percentage points over 30 years.
Election records show that in the fifth parliamentary election on 27 February 1991, JaPa won 35 seats with around 12 percent of the vote. In 1996, it secured 32 seats and 16.40 percent. By 2001, its tally fell to 14 seats and 7 percent.
In 2008, as part of the Awami League-led Grand Alliance, the party won 28 seats with 7.04 percent of the vote. In the tenth parliamentary election in 2014, boycotted by BNP, JaPa secured 34 seats and became the main opposition with around 7 percent.
In 2018, it won 22 seats with just over 5 percent. In 2024, it secured 11 seats and around 3 percent. In the latest election, it failed to win a single seat, with its vote share dropping to 0.89 percent.
A different trajectory is visible for Jamaat-e-Islami. In 1991, it won 18 seats with 12.13 percent of the vote. In 1996, it secured three seats and 8.61 percent. In 2001, it won 17 seats despite receiving 4.28 percent. In 2008, it polled 4.70 percent and won three seats.
The party did not contest the 2014 and 2024 elections. However, after the fall of the Awami League government during the July mass uprising, its organisational activity intensified.
Election analysts attribute JaPa’s decline and Jamaat’s rise to controversy over political positioning, understandings with the Awami League, participation in one-sided elections and internal splits.
Election Reform Commission Chairman and analyst Badiul Alam Majumdar told TIMES of Bangladesh that the 2014 election marked a turning point. While most parties boycotted that controversial poll, JaPa participated, lending it legitimacy.
He said the party also joined the disputed 2024 one-sided election, helping create the impression of a participatory contest. Its perceived closeness to what he described as an authoritarian government did not sit well with voters.
He added that JaPa’s perceived alignment with the interests of a neighbouring country further eroded its support. Repeated splits and reunifications weakened the organisation, and internal divisions persisted even after the July mass uprising.
These factors, he said, are reflected in shrinking voter backing.
On Jamaat’s rise, he said the party expanded its base methodically, projecting an image of honesty and pledging not to engage in corruption, land grabbing or criminality if in power.
He also noted that religion-based parties have gained ground globally, and Bangladesh is no exception. With other major parties having already governed, Jamaat was able to argue: “You have seen the others; now give us a chance.”
Vote share in 13th national election
The EC has published the official breakdown of the 13th parliament election. According to EC data, BNP secured 49.97 percent of the votes cast and is set to form the government with 209 seats.
Jamaat received 31.76 percent and won 68 seats, placing it second.
Jatiya Party, the opposition in the previous three parliaments, secured 0.89 percent. The NCP obtained 3.05 percent, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish 2.09 percent and Islami Andolon Bangladesh 2.70 percent. Independent candidates secured 5.79 percent.
All other parties received less than one percent each, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Bangladesh, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Khelafat Majlis, Islami Oikya Jote, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ganosamhati Andolon, Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), BASAD, BASAD (Marxist), Gono Forum, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), Nagorik Oikya and 45 other political parties.
