Khaleda Zia: A record of unmatched electoral success

BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia holds a remarkable record in Bangladesh’s electoral history, achieving a flawless victory in every election she contested.

Over five parliamentary elections, she stood for 23 seats and won them all – a 100% success rate, accomplished while leading her party and navigating the complexities of national politics.

When BNP founder and President Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in May 1981, Khaleda Zia was largely a housewife with no political aspirations and rarely appeared at political events. Yet, she overcame enormous challenges to become the country’s first elected female prime minister.

Khaleda Zia consistently won elections across the country whether in Feni, Bogura, Dhaka, Chattogram, Lakshmipur, or Khulna. Analysis of past results shows that she not only secured victory but often did so with large margins over her rivals.From 1991 to 2001, Khaleda Zia contested five constituencies in each of four parliamentary elections and won all of them every time. Later, in 2008, she contested three constituencies and won all three.

In the 2008 election, the BNP recorded its worst-ever performance. Despite the party winning only 30 seats in that election, Khaleda Zia herself faced no difficulty securing victory in three constituencies.

A review of Khaleda Zia’s past elections shows that she frequently contested from Bogura, Feni, Lakshmipur, and Chattogram, while also standing in Dhaka in 1991 and Khulna in 2001.

After the fall of autocrat Ershad following the mass uprising of 1990, Khaleda Zia contested the 5th parliamentary election held on 27 February in 1991 from five constituencies – Bogura-7, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-9, Feni-1, and Chattogram-8. She won all five seats by large margins.

In the 6th parliamentary election held on 15 February 1996, the BNP formed the government after winning the polls. In that election, Khaleda Zia contested and won the constituencies of Feni-1, Feni-2, Bogura-7, Sirajganj-2, and Rajshahi-2, and became prime minister.

In June 1996, the 7th parliamentary election was held. The government was formed by the Awami League. However, even in that election, no one could defeat Khaleda Zia. She contested five constituencies and won all of them. The constituencies were Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Feni-1, Lakshmipur-2, and Chattogram-1.

In the 8th parliamentary election held on 1 October 2001, Khaleda Zia contested Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Khulna-2, Feni-1, and Lakshmipur -2-and won all of them by large margins. After the BNP came to power following the victory, she became prime minister for the third time. 

In 2008, the Election Commission set a limit allowing a candidate to contest a maximum of three constituencies. Khaleda Zia contested Bogura-6, Bogura-7, and Feni-1. She won in all three constituencies.
This time, the BNP chairperson was supposed to participate in the 13th parliamentary election from Dinajpur-3, Bogura-7, and Feni-1.