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DHAKA: Bangladesh’s opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) achieved a monumental victory in Friday’s parliamentary elections, marking their triumphant return to power after nearly two decades. Leading party figure Tarique Rahman, son of former premier Khaleda Zia and assassinated former president Ziaur Rahman, now stands poised to assume the mantle as prime minister.
Rahman’s ascent comes amid a country mired in months of political turmoil and economic distress following the abrupt fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. An interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been in charge since then.
The official poll results from the Election Commission showed that BNP and its allies claimed 212 out of 299 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies secured just 77 seats. Counting for two constituencies remains pending.
The National People’s Party (NCP), formed by youth activists who played a pivotal role in toppling Hasina and allied with Jamaat-e-Islami, captured only six of the 30 contested seats, highlighting the challenges of translating protest into votes.
Garment worker Josna Begum, 28, expressed her hopes for stability: “If factories run on schedule and our wages are paid promptly, that’s what matters. We just want things to settle so more orders come in and we can sustain our lives.”
Economists expect the BNP’s overwhelming majority to facilitate swift legislative changes, offering short-term political stability following years of upheaval.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and U.S. Ambassador Brent T. Christensen were among the first to congratulate Rahman upon his victory.
The result arrives at a juncture when India, China, and the United States are vying for influence in Bangladesh. Thomas Kean of the International Crisis Group noted: “It presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Bangladesh, as major powers seek to assert their presence.”
Relations between New Delhi and Dhaka had soured since Hasina’s departure, affecting various aspects including visa services and cricket ties.
Voter turnout surged to nearly 60%, up from the 42% recorded in the previous election of 2024. More than fifty parties and over two thousand candidates, many independents, contested the polls.
Alongside the elections, a constitutional referendum was held, with around forty-eight million voters approving changes including two-term limits for prime ministers, stronger judicial independence, increased female representation, provisions for neutral interim governments during elections, and creation of a second house in the 300-seat parliament.
BNP’s victory eclipses its previous record of 193 seats from 2001, signaling a significant comeback after nearly two decades of opposition. Meanwhile, Hasina’s Awami League was barred from contesting this election but had previously secured 230 seats in the 2008 poll.
Rahman has yet to make a formal statement; however, he was spotted waving to supporters outside his Dhaka residence. The party urged citizens to mark the day with prayers instead of celebrations, signaling a cautious transition to power after more than two decades away from government.
This election not only reshapes political landscapes but also sets the stage for Bangladesh’s future under Rahman’s leadership as it navigates a complex web of regional and international influences.