The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has announced that it has secured a majority in Thursday’s landmark parliamentary election and is poised to form the next government.
According to Jamuna TV, which cited provisional results, the BNP and its allied parties won 211 of the 299 constituency seats contested, while the rival Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance secured 70 seats. Official results are yet to be formally released by the Bangladesh Election Commission.
Bangladesh’s parliament consists of 350 members, with 300 lawmakers elected directly from single-member constituencies and an additional 50 seats reserved for women. Voting took place in 299 constituencies following the death of one candidate.
Alongside the general election, voters also participated in a referendum on political reforms, including proposals for prime ministerial term limits, stronger checks on executive authority, and safeguards against the concentration of parliamentary power.
Despite acknowledging the provisional outcome, Jamaat-e-Islami raised concerns about the credibility of the results process. Party leader Shafiqur Rahman said Jamaat would respect the final outcome but expressed dissatisfaction with how results were handled.
The party cited narrow and “suspicious” defeats of candidates from the 11-party alliance, inconsistencies in unofficial result announcements, the Election Commission’s reluctance to publish voter turnout figures, and indications that parts of the administration favoured a major party. These issues, Jamaat said, “raise serious questions about the integrity of the results process.” Supporters were urged to remain patient and await further instructions from the alliance leadership.
Meanwhile, the BNP said it would mark its victory without rallies or public gatherings. Instead, the party announced nationwide prayers at mosques at noon, calling on supporters to pray for forgiveness and blessings for late former prime minister and BNP leader Khaleda Zia, who passed away in December.
