Former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia set a rare and unmatched precedent in Bangladesh’s electoral history by never losing a parliamentary election she contested. From 1991 to 2008, she participated in five general elections and emerged victorious in every constituency she contested, often winning by overwhelming margins.Her uninterrupted electoral success across multiple constituencies established her as one of the most formidable political figures in the country’s democratic history.
1991: Historic Victory in Five Constituencies
In the 1991 Fifth National Parliamentary Election, Khaleda Zia contested and won in five constituencies simultaneously. These were:
Bogura-7, Dhaka-5, Dhaka-9, Feni-1, and Chattogram-8.
This landmark victory paved the way for her to assume office as Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s political journey.
1996: Victory from Feni-1
In the Sixth National Parliamentary Election held in February 1996, Khaleda Zia contested from Feni-1 and secured a decisive victory.
1996 (Seventh Parliament): Five Seats Once Again
Later that same year, in the June 1996 Seventh National Parliamentary Election, she once again contested and won in five constituencies. The seats were:
Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Feni-1, Lakshmipur-2, and Chattogram-1.
2001: Landslide Success in the Eighth Parliament
In the 2001 Eighth National Parliamentary Election, Khaleda Zia repeated her electoral dominance by winning five seats:
Bogura-6, Bogura-7, Khulna-2, Feni-1, and Lakshmipur-2.
This election brought her to power for the third time as Prime Minister, solidifying her leadership position in national politics.
2008: Three Seats, Three Victories
In the 2008 Ninth National Parliamentary Election, she contested in three constituencies and won all of them. The seats were:
Bogura-6, Bogura-7, and Feni-1.
Despite political adversity, her electoral appeal remained undiminished.
Passing of a Political Icon
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday (30 December) while undergoing treatment at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80 years old.
(Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un.)
A Life Defined by Sacrifice and Resistance
Once a shy homemaker, Khaleda Zia rose to become an uncompromising leader of the anti-autocracy movement. Following the assassination of her husband, former President and martyred military leader Ziaur Rahman, she took charge of the BNP and led mass movements during the 1990 uprising, resisted the “1/11” political conspiracy, and endured severe persecution during sixteen years of authoritarian rule.
Her life remains a powerful chronicle of sacrifice, resilience, and steadfast commitment to democracy.
An Enduring Legacy
Khaleda Zia’s flawless electoral record and lifelong struggle for democratic governance have secured her a permanent place in Bangladesh’s political history. Her legacy endures as that of an indomitable leader whose courage, conviction, and popular mandate remain unparalleled.