Dhaka, Bangladesh – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed a landslide victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, marking a significant shift in the political landscape following the 2024 uprising that led to the ousting of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The results, reported by local television stations on , indicate a resounding mandate for the BNP and a potential restoration of political stability in the South Asian nation.
According to the BNP’s media unit, the party has secured enough seats to govern independently. While final results are still pending official confirmation from the Election Commission, several local media outlets are reporting a decisive win for the BNP coalition, securing 209 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. Jamuna TV reported the BNP winning 151 seats directly.
The election, held on , represents Bangladesh’s first vote since the Gen Z-driven protests of 2024. Those demonstrations, which resulted in an estimated 1,400 deaths according to UN estimates, ultimately forced Sheikh Hasina into exile in India and led to the establishment of an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus.
The BNP’s victory is expected to usher in a new era under the leadership of Tarique Rahman, the party’s prime ministerial candidate. Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-imposed exile in London, is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away in December. His return was made possible after corruption and criminal charges pursued by Hasina’s government were dropped following her ousting.
The election was widely viewed as a two-way contest between the BNP and an 11-party alliance led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami. A voter turnout exceeding 60 percent suggests a strong desire for change among the Bangladeshi electorate.
The outcome is considered crucial for restoring stability to Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of 175 million people. Months of unrest following the 2024 uprising disrupted daily life and significantly impacted major industries, including the apparel sector, where Bangladesh ranks as the world’s second-largest exporter.
The BNP’s campaign, led by Rahman, focused on promises of financial aid for impoverished families, a ten-year limit on the premiership, measures to boost the economy through foreign investment, and a commitment to tackling corruption.
The victory has already garnered congratulatory messages from regional leaders. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Rahman on his “decisive victory” and pledged New Delhi’s support for “a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.” Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari also extended congratulations to the people of Bangladesh, reaffirming “strong support for democratic partnership and shared progress ahead.”
Alongside the parliamentary election, citizens participated in a referendum on constitutional amendments, including the introduction of a two-term limit for the prime minister and increased representation for women in parliament. Bangladesh’s parliament comprises 350 seats, with 300 directly elected and 50 reserved for women.
The BNP was founded in 1978 by Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman’s father. For two decades, the party served as the primary opposition to the Awami League, frequently boycotting elections and alleging systematic vote rigging and political repression under Hasina’s leadership. The party’s success in this election marks a significant turning point after years in the political wilderness.
The election results are expected to have broader regional implications, coming after similar revolts led by younger generations in other parts of the region, including Nepal, which is scheduled to hold elections next month. The events in Bangladesh are being closely watched as a potential catalyst for further political change in South Asia.
