The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced that it has secured enough parliamentary seats to form a government following Bangladesh’s first general election since the 2024 student-led uprising. The party’s media wing stated on social media that it achieved an outright majority, though the Election Commission of Bangladesh has yet to release official final results. Several domestic media outlets have reported that the BNP is on course to win.
The party is led by Tarique Rahman, its prime ministerial nominee, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in London. Rahman, 60, is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who died in December.
Thursday’s vote was widely viewed as a contest between the BNP and an 11-party coalition headed by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami. The election was conducted under heightened security amid concerns over political violence and the state of democratic governance. Observers have described a decisive outcome as important for restoring stability in the country of approximately 175 million people.
The election follows the July 2024 uprising, a student-led movement that resulted in an estimated 1,400 deaths, according to the United Nations. The unrest culminated in the resignation and departure of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who went into exile in India. Her party, the Awami League, has since been barred from political activity.
An interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has governed since Hasina’s removal from office.
In addition to the parliamentary vote, citizens participated in a referendum on constitutional amendments. Proposed changes include introducing a two-term limit for the prime minister and increasing women’s representation in political institutions.
Bangladesh’s legislature comprises 350 seats: 300 members are elected from single-member constituencies, while 50 seats are reserved for women.
Founded in 1978 by former president Ziaur Rahman, the BNP has spent much of the past two decades in opposition to the Awami League. During that period, it boycotted several elections and alleged electoral manipulation and political repression under Hasina’s government.
Tarique Rahman left Bangladesh after facing multiple corruption and criminal cases initiated during Hasina’s tenure, allegations he denied. The charges were withdrawn following the collapse of her administration, enabling his return.
Following the BNP’s declaration of victory, regional leaders issued statements. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India would continue to support a “democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.” Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Bangladeshi public on what he described as peaceful elections.
