The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a decisive victory in the general elections held on Thursday, while according to official data released by the Election Commission, the BNP won 209 out of 299 seats, comfortably crossing the majority threshold of 150 seats. Results for 286 seats have been declared so far. This victory marks the return of the BNP to power after a hiatus of nearly 20 years, ending the long-standing tenure of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, which governed from 2008 to 2024.
Election Results and Seat Distribution
According to election officials, the 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has secured 70 seats in the current tally. Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman registered a victory from the Dhaka-15 constituency. The BNP's performance across the country has ensured a clear mandate for the party to form the next government. The transition of power comes after a period of significant political shifts, with the BNP reclaiming its position as the dominant political force in the nation.
First Male Prime Minister in 35 Years
With this electoral outcome, Bangladesh is set to have a male Prime Minister after a gap of 35 years. The last male premier was Kazi Zafar Ahmed in 1988. Since 1991, the country's political landscape was dominated by Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia, who alternated in the role of Prime Minister. Tarique Rahman, the son of former PM Khaleda Zia and the current BNP Chairman, is now expected to take the oath of office. Rahman contested from two seats and emerged victorious in both.
Political Trajectory and Return of Tarique Rahman
Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December last year after spending 17 years in exile. He arrived from the United Kingdom on January 25. Just five days after his return, his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, passed away following a prolonged illness, leaving the party's leadership entirely in his hands. Rahman had been living in London since 2008 to avoid legal proceedings related to corruption allegations from the 2001-2006 BNP tenure. According to Time Magazine, he continued to direct party strategies and movements from abroad during his exile.
Diplomatic Engagement and India's Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Tarique Rahman on the BNP's victory in the general elections. In his message, PM Modi stated that the victory reflects the trust the people of Bangladesh have in Rahman's leadership. He emphasized that India remains committed to supporting a democratic and progressing Bangladesh. The Indian government expressed its readiness to further strengthen bilateral ties and collaborate on regional development initiatives with the new administration.
Performance of Coalitions and Key Candidates
The election also saw notable outcomes for individual candidates and smaller coalitions. Krishna Nandi, a Hindu candidate representing Jamaat-e-Islami, lost the Khulna-1 seat to BNP's Amir Ejaz Khan by a margin of 50,434 votes. Khan secured 1,20,092 votes compared to Nandi's 69,658 votes. Tarique Rahman has presented himself as a policy-focused leader, emphasizing initiatives such as planting 5 crore trees annually, creating green zones in Dhaka, and expanding technical education across the country.