The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is now leading in opinion polls for the upcoming Bangladesh elections on February 12, with 70% of respondents favoring the party over Jamaat-e-Islami. The BNP’s surge is attributed to public sympathy following the death of its leader, Khaleda Zia, and the return of her son, Tarique Rahman, boosting party support.
The Jamaat-e-Islami, in contrast, has only 19% support, signaling a significant gap between the two parties. Additionally, the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) has garnered 2.9% backing, as per a survey by Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD).
Factors such as public rejection of Jamaat due to ongoing violence and concerns over external influence have further bolstered BNP’s popularity. The survey also reveals a shift in support from Awami League to BNP, with 60% of former Awami League backers now favoring the BNP.
The BNP enjoys strong support among women, particularly in regions like Rajshahi and Chattogram, where it is expected to secure 70% of the votes. Confidence in the BNP’s victory is high, with 77% of respondents believing the party will come to power. However, concerns remain over potential election-related violence and attempts to disrupt the democratic process.
