DHAKA – Bangladesh is witnessing a major political shift as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) moves closer to forming the next government. Early results show the party winning seat after seat across the country.
The country of 175 million people is experiencing one of its most dramatic elections. Official and unofficial figures show the BNP has secured 100 seats so far. The party needs 151 seats to form a majority government. It is now just 51 seats away from that goal.
The Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami has won 40 seats. Other parties have secured five seats. Final results are still pending in several constituencies. However, the BNP has already declared victory. Celebrations have started in different parts of Bangladesh. Leaders are also receiving congratulatory messages from home and abroad.
Several key constituencies have reported clear winners. In Dhaka-15, Shafiqur Rahman won with 85,131 votes. In Dhaka-14, Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem secured 101,113 votes. Mujibur Rahman won Rajshahi-1 with 171,786 votes. Shahjahan Chowdhury claimed victory in Chattogram-15 with 172,061 votes. ATM Azharul Islam won Rangpur-2 with 139,680 votes. Syed Zainul Abedin secured Dhaka-4 with 77,367 votes.
At the center of this political comeback is Tarique Rahman. He is widely seen as the next prime minister of Bangladesh. Just a year ago, he was living in London in self-imposed exile. He had stayed there for nearly 17 years after leaving Bangladesh in 2008.
Tarique Rahman was arrested in 2007 during a military-backed caretaker government. He spent 18 months in prison before moving to London. Later, he received political asylum in the United Kingdom. During his time abroad, he led the BNP remotely. He reorganized the party through online meetings and social media.
The political environment changed after student-led protests ended the rule of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Tarique Rahman returned to Dhaka in December 2024. His return marked a new chapter in Bangladesh politics.
However, the election process has faced serious allegations. The National Citizen Party has accused authorities of manipulating results. It has demanded a recount in several areas. The BNP has accused Jamaat-e-Islami of vote rigging. In response, Jamaat leaders claim that results in their strong areas are being delayed.
In other news read more about Polling Begins in Bangladesh’s First General Election After 2024 Uprising
Despite these disputes, the BNP appears confident of securing a two-thirds majority. As vote counting continues across Bangladesh, the nation stands at a historic crossroads. The final results will shape the country’s political future for years to come.
