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BNP claims victory in Bangladesh’s election as counting continues
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- Web Desk
- 4 Minutes ago
DHAKA: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman has declared his party the winner of Bangladesh’s closely watched general election, saying it has secured enough seats to form the next government, international media reports said on Friday.
Bangladeshi broadcaster Jamuna TV, citing provisional tallies, reported that the BNP and its allies captured 211 of the 299 parliamentary constituencies announced so far – a margin that would give the alliance a two-thirds majority. The rival coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami is reported to have won 70 seats, with a handful going to other parties.
If confirmed by the Election Commission, the outcome would pave the way for Rahman to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister.
FELICITATIONS POUR IN FOR BNP
The United States ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent Christensen, congratulated the BNP and Rahman on what he described as a “historic victory,” expressing Washington’s intention to work with the incoming government on shared priorities including prosperity and security.
Pakistan also congratulated the people of Bangladesh on their successful, peaceful polls, and President Asif Ali Zardari felicitates Tarique Rahman on BNP’s landslide victory.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami questioned the integrity of results. Despite the BNP’s celebrations, Jamaat raised concerns about the credibility of the counting process. The party alleged irregularities in several constituencies and criticised what it described as inconsistencies in unofficial results and delays in publishing voter turnout data. It urged supporters to remain patient pending further announcements from its 11-party alliance.
Earlier, the National Citizen Party, a key ally of Jamaat, also called on the Election Commission to examine claims of discrepancies before finalising results in certain races.
BNP OPTS FOR PRAYERS OVER RALLIES
In a statement, the BNP said it would forgo public rallies to mark the victory and instead hold nationwide prayer gatherings at mosques. The party also asked supporters to offer prayers for the late former prime minister Khaleda Zia, Rahman’s mother, who died in December.
Tarique Rahman, 60, returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in political exile in London. The son of two former prime ministers, he re-entered national politics amid high expectations following the mass protests of 2024.
During the campaign, he pledged to restore law and order, strengthen healthcare and infrastructure, and crack down on corruption, a sensitive issue for a party previously dogged by graft allegations. Rahman has promised a zero-tolerance approach and a shift toward what he calls “clean politics.”
DESPITE OVERALL LOSS, JAMAAT POSTS HISTORIC GAINS
Although trailing the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami appears to have achieved its strongest national performance to date. Prominent leaders, including party chief Shafiqur Rahman and several senior figures, are reported to have won seats in Dhaka and other regions.
Analysts say that even with fewer seats, a substantial share of the popular vote could position the Jamaat-led alliance as a significant opposition force in parliament. Bangladesh’s first-past-the-post electoral system means seat totals do not always reflect overall vote share.
REFERENDUM ON SWEEPING REFORMS
Alongside the general election, voters also cast ballots in a referendum on the proposed “July National Charter,” a package of more than 80 reform measures. The charter calls for constitutional and institutional changes, including increased political representation for women, term limits for the prime minister, enhanced presidential powers, expanded fundamental rights, and stronger judicial independence.
One notable proposal would create a 100-member upper chamber to complement the existing 350-seat legislature, the Jatiya Sangsad. Early indications suggest the referendum may pass, giving the new parliament a mandate to enact the reforms within a set timeframe.
OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION PENDING
As counting continues, the Election Commission’s official results portal remains inaccessible, with district-level returning officers releasing provisional figures. Final certification of results is expected in the coming hours.
For now, the BNP is preparing to take power, while opposition parties weigh their next steps in what has become one of Bangladesh’s most consequential elections in recent history.
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