BNP claims sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s first election after Hasina’s ouster
Guwahati: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has claimed a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s first national election since a youth-led uprising brought an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina.
Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed described the outcome as expected, saying the electorate had placed its trust in a party that could carry forward the aspirations expressed by young people during the uprising. He emphasised that the moment demanded responsibility rather than celebration, pointing to the challenges involved in building a country free from discrimination.
The party confirmed its victory in a statement posted on X, indicating that it was set to form the government with a majority of seats. The U.S. Embassy was among the first to extend congratulations, characterising the result as historic.
Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in exile in London, is now positioned to become the country’s next prime minister. He is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981.
By around 9 a.m. local time, the BNP had secured 177 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami had won 53 seats.
The election was widely regarded as Bangladesh’s first genuinely free and fair poll in more than 17 years. The three previous elections held during Hasina’s tenure had been marred by allegations of vote manipulation, ballot stuffing, and the intimidation and imprisonment of opposition leaders.
As counting continued, BNP leaders expressed confidence that the party would surpass 200 seats and potentially secure a two-thirds majority. Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of the BNP’s standing committee, said the scale of the victory could amount to a landslide.
Voting on Thursday was largely peaceful, with turnout significantly higher than the 42 per cent recorded in the last election. According to the Election Commission, nationwide voter participation stood at 60.69 per cent. Postal ballots, including those cast by overseas voters and officials unable to vote in person, registered an 80.11 per cent turnout.
The parliamentary election followed a student-led uprising that ended Hasina’s 15-year rule. The United Nations has estimated that approximately 1,400 people died during the unrest amid a violent crackdown by state forces.
The polls were seen as crucial for restoring stability in the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million after months of protests disrupted daily life and affected key industries, including the garment sector.
The BNP’s campaign promises included financial support for low-income families, a proposal to limit any individual’s tenure as prime minister to 10 years, economic reforms aimed at boosting foreign investment, and measures to combat corruption.
Shafiqur Rahman, head of Jamaat-e-Islami, conceded defeat and indicated that his party would pursue constructive engagement rather than oppose for its own sake. Despite the loss, the results marked a historic performance for Jamaat, which had previously held no more than 18 parliamentary seats. The party, however, alleged irregularities in vote counting in certain constituencies, raising concerns about aspects of the results process.
Hasina’s Awami League, which governed Bangladesh for more than 15 years, was barred from contesting. More than 2,000 candidates, including a record number of independents, were on the ballot, with at least 50 political parties participating.
Alongside the election, a referendum was held on constitutional reforms. The proposals included the establishment of a neutral interim government during election periods, the restructuring of parliament into a bicameral legislature, increased representation for women, strengthened judicial independence, and a two-term limit for the prime minister. While official results were yet to be announced, early counts suggested that more than 60 per cent of voters supported the reforms.
Hasina fled to India following her removal from office. After polling stations closed, she criticised the election as illegitimate and called for its cancellation, demanding a fresh vote under a neutral caretaker government.
Human rights organisations and the United Nations have for years documented allegations that Hasina’s administration suppressed dissent, curtailed press freedom, weakened judicial independence, and was linked to enforced disappearances and abuses targeting critics and political opponents.