Bangladesh: Opinion poll reveals stunning result ahead of February 12 elections

Dhaka: A recent opinion poll conducted ahead of Bangladesh's 13th general election on February 12th has provided a clear picture of the country's political landscape. 

What does the opinion poll reveal?

The nationwide survey shows the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) heading towards a landslide victory.

The latest opinion poll, released by Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD) regarding the upcoming national elections, has presented surprising figures. According to the survey, nearly 70 percent of voters want Khaleda Zia's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to form the next government.

The Jamaat-e-Islami is in second place. The survey shows Jamaat-e-Islami emerging as the second most popular party with 19 percent support. Other parties appear significantly weaker. The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) is projected to receive only 2.6 percent of the vote, and the Jatiya Party 1.4 percent.

What about Awami League supporters?

The most surprising aspect of the survey is the shift in allegiance among former supporters of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party. According to the data, 60 percent of former Awami League voters are now willing to vote for the BNP, while 25 percent have indicated their support for Jamaat-e-Islami.

Regionally, the BNP's dominance is strongest in the Rajshahi and Chittagong divisions (74%). The party is also highly popular among female voters, with 71 percent of women supporting the BNP.

According to the survey, 77% of voters are confident that the BNP will form the next government, while 74% believe that BNP candidates will win in their respective constituencies.

The poll also reveals a significant shift among voters who previously supported the Awami League (AL). Of the former Awami League voters surveyed, 60 percent said they were willing to vote for the BNP in the upcoming election, while 25 percent expressed support for Jamaat-e-Islami. The remaining 15 percent indicated they would vote for other political parties.

Overall, the survey paints a picture of a political landscape dominated by the BNP, with Jamaat-e-Islami consolidating its position as the main alternative force in many areas, as voter preferences continue to shift ahead of the national elections. The survey was conducted between December 20 and January 1, and involved interviews with approximately 20,495 people across 300 parliamentary constituencies.