In a recent election spurred by a movement led by Gen Z in Bangladesh, a party driven by youths managed to secure only six out of the 300 parliamentary seats, highlighting the difficulty in translating street support into electoral success. Results revealed that voters overwhelmingly favored the well-established Bangladesh Nationalist Party, which has previously governed the country on three occasions, most recently between 2001 and 2006.
The National Citizen Party, which emerged from the 2024 protests that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saw limited support from voters and performed poorly as part of a competing coalition. Some supporters expressed disappointment with the party’s decision to align itself with the long-standing Islamist movement Jamaat-e-Islami, feeling that this move hindered their chances in the election.
Initially planning to contest a significant number of seats, the NCP ended up participating in only 30 seats within the coalition, citing the need for support from a major player after a key member of the uprising was killed in Dhaka. Analysts noted that the NCP failed to build a strong enough support base in time for the election, leading to disillusionment among young voters who had high hopes following the 2024 uprising.
According to 23-year-old university student Sohanur Rahman, the NCP’s alignment with Jamaat was seen as a betrayal by many young voters, causing them to withdraw their support. Despite facing challenges, one of the NCP’s successful candidates, Abdullah Al Amin, emphasized that the party aimed to bring about significant change in Bangladesh and acknowledged that they were still in the early stages of their journey.
Looking ahead, Abdullah Al Amin mentioned that the alliance with Jamaat played a role in their electoral success, although government and politics professor Shakil Ahmed suggested that this partnership alienated young voters seeking a fresh political landscape post-Hasina’s rule. NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud outlined plans for the party to regroup in opposition and concentrate on upcoming local government elections.
NCP chief Nahid Islam acknowledged the party’s shortcomings in terms of inadequate preparation time, financial constraints, and unclear stances on crucial issues like women’s and minorities’ rights. To avoid losing momentum and becoming a mere symbolic movement, Professor Ahmed stressed the need for the NCP to redefine its identity and distance itself from alliances that dilute its message.
Despite setbacks, some notable young candidates like Tasnim Jara, a doctor who left the NCP due to the alliance, expressed optimism about the future of clean and honest politics. Jara, who ran independently and garnered substantial support but lost to a BNP candidate, highlighted the importance of building a robust organization capable of withstanding challenges to ensure the longevity of ethical political practices.