Bangladesh’s BNP Projected to Win Big in Elections

DHAKA – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is projected to achieve a landslide win. This is the first election since the deadly 2024 uprising. Bangladeshi TV stations reported Friday morning that the BNP has crossed the 150-seat majority threshold in parliament.

Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi claimed a “sweeping victory” in a party statement. He asked followers to offer prayers instead of holding street celebrations. “There will be no victory rally despite the BNP’s sweeping win,” Rizvi said, urging special Jumma prayers across the country.

At 5:30 am local time, broadcasters projected the BNP securing 197 seats. The Islamist-led coalition headed by Jamaat-e-Islami won 63 seats. This marked a major improvement for the coalition, but it fell far short of an outright win. Counting continues for the remaining constituencies, while 50 seats reserved for women will be filled from party lists.

Rahman, 60, is poised to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister. He expressed confidence in his party’s success, calling the expected victory a return from years of political suppression under ousted premier Sheikh Hasina. Party spokesman Mahdi Amin told reporters the BNP is on track to win at least two-thirds of all seats.

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Party workers spent the night outside BNP offices celebrating. Md Fazlur Rahman, a supporter, said they are ready to join “nation-building efforts led by Tarique Rahman.” Many voters recalled political hardships, including arrests and lost property, endured under the previous regime.

The election was largely peaceful, despite heavy security deployments. The Election Commission reported only minor disruptions, though political clashes during the campaign left five people dead and over 600 injured. UN experts had warned of growing intolerance, threats, and disinformation in the lead-up to voting.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who will step down once the new government assumes power, urged calm. He described the election as the country ending a “nightmare” and beginning a “new dream.” Meanwhile, ex-premier Hasina, sentenced in absentia, called the vote “illegal and unconstitutional.” Television projections suggested voters also backed a referendum for sweeping democratic reforms.