‘Quadrupled’ seats in Parliament, will be ‘vigilant’ Opposition: Ameer Shafiqur Rahman

The Jamaat-e-Islami will serve as a ‘vigilant’ opposition and hold the government of Bangladesh to account, said the leader of the party in a statement to the media on Saturday (February 14, 2026). The remarks of Ameer Shafiqur Rahman came a day after the largest Islamist party of Bangladesh alleged that the election process had “inconsistencies and fabrications” after the eleven-party alliance led by it won seventy-seven seats in the national parliament.

Bangladesh election results highlights

“I know many of you are feeling hurt and deeply disappointed. That is natural. When you invest your heart into a cause, you feel its outcome deeply. But let me say this clearly: your efforts were not in vain. With 77 seats, we have nearly quadrupled our parliamentary presence and become one of the strongest opposition blocs in modern Bangladeshi politics,” said Mr. Rahman describing the electoral outcome was “not a setback.” “That is a foundation,” he further said.

The Jamaat-e-Islami’s electoral gains are in stark contrast to its past performances in the elections in Bangladesh as its highest score before this was in 1991 when it won 18 seats in the 1991 election largely because of the support that it received from the BNP. However, the 77 seats that the Islamist alliance won in February 12 election was below the expectation of the party and according to sources in the party, the JeI was hoping to cross the tally of hundred.On Saturday, Mr. Rahman complained that the election was riddled with “inconsistencies” alleging that there was a lack of transparency from the Election Commission.

Mr. Rahman reminded that politics in Bangladesh is not static and that “political fortunes change” adding“In 2008, BNP was reduced to 30 seats before returning to form government in 2026, a journey that took 18 years.”

Mr. Rahman expressed commitment to the democratic process of Bangladesh and said, “We will serve as a vigilant, principled, and peaceful opposition, holding the government to account while contributing constructively to national progress.”