By Krishna Dua 
Sheikh Hasina: Major Political Updates Today
Sheikh Hasina, the longest-serving Prime Minister in Bangladesh’s history, continues to dominate the country’s political landscape six days after the 7 February 2026 general election delivered her Awami League a fourth consecutive landslide victory. As of today, 13 February 2026, the 78-year-old leader is finalising the composition of her new cabinet while facing mounting street protests, fresh western sanctions, a collapsing stock market and deepening economic pressure. The post-election period has seen the most serious domestic challenge to her authority since the 2013–2014 political crisis.
Election Results & Parliamentary Makeup
The Election Commission of Bangladesh declared the final tally on 8 February:
- Awami League + allies: 258 seats (out of 300 directly elected)
- Jatiya Party (Ershad faction): 27 seats
- Independents (overwhelmingly Awami League-backed): 11 seats
- Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu faction): 3 seats
- Workers Party of Bangladesh: 1 seat
Official turnout: 41.8 % — lowest since 1991. Independent estimates range from 25–35 %. In 148 constituencies Awami League candidates were elected unopposed — the highest figure ever recorded in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina won her Gopalganj-3 seat with a margin of over 1.82 lakh votes. She is expected to take oath as Prime Minister for the fourth consecutive term in the third week of February.
Cabinet Formation & Key Appointments
As of 13 February, reliable sources indicate the following likely contours of the new cabinet:
- Sheikh Hasina to retain the Prime Minister’s post along with Defence and Armed Forces Division portfolios
- Obaidul Quader (General Secretary) likely to become Home Minister
- A.K. Abdul Momen to continue as Foreign Minister
- AHM Mustafa Kamal to retain Finance & Planning
- Dipu Moni expected to move to Education or Health
- Hasan Mahmud likely to retain Information & Broadcasting
- Several younger faces from the 2024 parliament (Sajeeb Wazed Joy’s close aides) expected in junior ministerial roles
- Representation from Jatiya Party (Ershad) expected in 2–3 cabinet berths as part of confidence-and-supply arrangement
The cabinet is expected to be sworn in between 17–20 February 2026.
Escalating Street Protests & Security Measures
Protests against the election results intensified on 11–12 February:
- Dhaka: Clashes near Shahbagh, Motijheel and Farmgate — tear gas, sound grenades, water cannons used
- Chittagong: Port area and Agrabad shut down for several hours
- Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna: Student-led marches demanding re-election
- Casualties reported: 18 deaths and over 580 injuries since 8 February (official figure 14 deaths)
Government response:
- Section 144 imposed in 18 districts (expanded from 14 on 11 February)
- Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) deployed in Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet and Rajshahi
- Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducting night raids on opposition safe houses
- Internet speed throttled in several districts; multiple Facebook pages and YouTube channels blocked
Opposition Strategy & Statements
- BNP: 72-hour hartal continuing until 13 February midnight; “long march” to Dhaka rescheduled to 16 February
- Tarique Rahman (from London): Called for “total non-cooperation movement” and international intervention
- Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir (BNP secretary general): Remained in custody as of 12 February evening
- Student groups: Formed “Save Democracy Platform” — announced campus shutdowns and hunger strikes
International Pressure & Sanctions
- United States: Expanded sanctions list on 11 February to 19 individuals (including RAB officials and Awami League MPs)
- European Union: Suspended €120 million governance programme on 10 February
- United Kingdom: Called for “immediate release of political prisoners”
- United Nations: High Commissioner for Human Rights issued statement expressing “grave concern” over post-election violence
- China & Russia: Reaffirmed support; China announced $2.1 billion new line of credit for power and port projects
Economic Indicators & Market Impact
- Dhaka Stock Exchange General Index: Down 9.4 % from 7 February close (biggest four-day fall since 2020)
- Taka: Depreciated 3.8 % against USD in offshore market
- Foreign-exchange reserves: Reported at $21.8 billion (down $1.4 billion since December 2025)
- Inflation: Official figure 9.8 % (food inflation 12.4 %) — independent estimates higher
Conclusion
Six days after the 7 February 2026 election, Bangladesh finds itself in one of the most serious political crises since the 2013–2014 period. Sheikh Hasina’s fourth consecutive term appears secure on paper, but the combination of extremely low turnout, opposition boycott, post-poll violence, western sanctions and economic stress has severely undermined the legitimacy of the mandate in the eyes of many domestic and international observers.
The coming weeks will test whether sustained street mobilisation by the BNP, students and civil society can force meaningful concessions, or whether the government’s security apparatus will succeed in suppressing dissent. For now, Sheikh Hasina remains firmly in control of the state machinery, but the political temperature in Bangladesh is the highest it has been in more than a decade.