The Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has claimed a sweeping victory in Bangladesh’s first election since a gen-Z uprising toppled the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina. The vote has been seen as the first free and fair election held in the country in almost two decades.
BNP Declares Victory After Historic Election
By Friday morning, results showed a clear win for the BNP, returning them to power after 20 years. Salahuddin Ahmed, a leading BNP committee member, said, “This victory was expected. It is not surprising that the people of Bangladesh have placed their trust in a party … capable of realising the dreams that our youth envisioned during the uprising.”
Ahmed acknowledged challenges ahead for the new BNP government, which has pledged a new era of democracy and zero tolerance towards corruption. “This is not a time for celebration, as we will face mounting challenges in building a country free from discrimination,” he said.
As of 9 a.m. local time, the BNP had won 181 seats, while the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami had claimed 61 seats. BNP leaders expressed confidence in winning 200 seats and securing a two-thirds majority as counting continued.
International Reactions
India was among the first countries to congratulate the BNP. Indian Prime Minister Modi stated, “India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” adding that he was looking forward to working with Rahman. The message was seen as an olive branch following a period of strained relations after Hasina’s fall.
The US and Pakistan also congratulated the BNP on their election victory.
Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years of exile in London, is poised to become the country’s next prime minister. He is the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman, who was assassinated in 1981.
Jamaat-e-Islami Concedes
Shafiqur Rahman, the head of Jamaat-e-Islami, conceded defeat. He stated his party would not engage in “politics of opposition” for the sake of it, and would instead pursue “positive politics.”
Despite conceding, Jamaat-e-Islami alleged some irregularities in vote counting in constituencies where their candidates suffered narrow losses, raising questions about the integrity of the results process. The party’s showing represents a historic result, having previously held no more than 18 seats in parliament, and is expected to be a formidable opposition.
Their campaign attracted controversy, particularly among female voters, over regressive comments made by Shafiqur Rahman on women’s rights and employment.
A Shift Towards Democracy
The election marked a significant change after years of suppressed dissent under Hasina’s regime, where critics and political opponents were routinely disappeared, tortured, and killed. The past three elections under Hasina were marred by widespread allegations of vote-rigging.
The student-led uprising that led to Hasina’s downfall in August 2024 was prompted by anger over widespread corruption, human rights abuses, and an economic slump. The uprising, and the subsequent crackdown, left an estimated 1,400 people dead, according to the UN.
For the past 18 months, the country has been run by an interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who prepared the country for free and fair elections. Yunus said the country had “ended the nightmare and begun a new dream” after casting his vote in Dhaka.
The newly elected government faces the task of restoring democracy, law and order, and economic growth. Concerns remain, as the return of the BNP – a dynastic party with a history of corruption – may not fully represent the spirit of reform that drove the uprising.
The BNP’s campaign focused on zero tolerance for corruption and economic measures such as monthly financial support for poor families, the creation of millions of jobs, expanded healthcare access, and policies to boost foreign investment.
Constitutional Reforms Approved
Alongside the election, a referendum was held on a set of constitutional reforms championed by Yunus, known as the July Charter. These reforms aim to prevent autocratic regimes by strengthening judicial independence and introducing a two-term limit for the prime minister. Early results suggest the charter passed with over 65% voting yes.
Sheikh Hasina remains in exile in India after a war crimes tribunal sentenced her to death for crimes against humanity committed during the final throes of her regime. Her escape, and India’s refusal to return her, has been a key issue in strained relations between Dhaka and New Delhi. Hasina denounced the election as a “carefully planned farce” and called for the results to be cancelled in a statement released after polling stations closed.
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