Khaleda Zia never lost an election

In the electoral history of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, the word “defeat” never found a place.

The three-time former Prime Minister holds a unique record in Bangladesh’s parliamentary history that no one else has matched. From 1991 to 2008, in five consecutive national elections, she never faced defeat at the ballot box.

Whether it was Bogura, Feni, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Dhaka or Khulna — the voting ground changed, but the result remained the same. Contesting from a total of 23 seats across five elections, she won every single one. Her name on the ballot was almost synonymous with guaranteed victory.

When her nomination was announced for the 13th national parliament election, it was initially thought she might recover. She was made a candidate purely out of that hope. But in reality, it reflected something far deeper.

By nominating her in three seats, the party demonstrated the undeniable reality that no one else matched her popularity. Even while on life support, Khaleda Zia remained the most acceptable candidate for BNP.

Her political rise coincided with the democratic awakening of Bangladesh. After the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991, she and Sheikh Hasina emerged as the two poles of national politics.

Their rivalry, spanning at least 15 years, influenced everything from policy decisions to national identity. For a decade and a half, Bangladesh remained centred around the political contest between these two women.

In the 27 February 1991 election, Khaleda Zia contested from five seats — and won all five. In the controversial February 1996 election (boycotted by major opposition parties), she again won from five constituencies.

Even after BNP’s popularity reached its lowest during the subsequent Awami League government and the caretaker government system was introduced following opposition demands, she triumphed in all five seats in the June 1996 election.

This trend continued in 2001, when she won from five more seats and returned to power.

In 2008, when BNP suffered its worst-ever defeat securing only 30 seats, Khaleda Zia contested three constituencies — and won every one of them. While the party collapsed on all fronts, she stood firm.

Her invincible streak ended not at the ballot box, but in the courtroom in 2018. Convicted in a corruption case, she was declared ineligible to contest elections.

That year, for the first time since 1991, BNP went into an election without ballots bearing Khaleda Zia’s name. Preparations were made to nominate her from Feni-1, Bogura-6, and Bogura-7 constituencies. But instead of the election field, she was in prison. Across the country, her party’s candidates fell behind.

Six years later, she was nominated again. But the context was completely different. Considering the situation, reports emerged that alternative candidates were being prepared for Khaleda Zia’s seats.

The last date for submission of nomination papers for the 13th national parliament election was yesterday Monday. This Tuesday morning at around 6:00 am, Khaleda Zia passed away while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the capital.