The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has declared victory in Thursday’s landmark national election, saying it has won a clear majority and will form the next government, according to party officials and local media projections.
The election, the first since mass protests in 2024 ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, saw millions of voters choose members of the 300-seat Jatiya Sangsad, the country’s national parliament.
In a statement late Thursday, the BNP said it had secured more than the 151 seats needed for a simple majority. Provisional results from local broadcasters showed the party and its allies with a commanding lead, with figures suggesting the BNP coalition had won as many as 211 seats while the rival Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance won about 70.
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh from nearly two decades in exile last year, is positioned to become the next prime minister.
The BNP’s reported success marks a major shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, coming after years of dominance by the Awami League under Hasina and amid ongoing calls for democratic reforms.
Election Commission officials have not yet released official results, and vote counting continues in several constituencies. Local media outlets cautioned that final certified figures are expected later Friday.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, had pledged a transparent and peaceful voting process, with thousands of international observers present.
Political reactions have been mixed, with supporters of the BNP hailing the outcome as a new chapter for Bangladesh, while critics and some opposition figures have raised concerns about the conduct and fairness of the vote.
Officials say formal certification from the Election Commission is still pending and that provisional counts remain subject to change as the process concludes. (Newswire)