Dhaka, Feb 13 (UNI) In Bangladesh’s first election since the fall of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a landslide victory, winning approximately 210 seats out of 299 contested seats, according to the latest count.
However, its principal rival, an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process. In a statement released after the results were announced, Jamaat-e-Islami said it was “not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results.”
The Islamist party claimed that candidates from its 11-party electoral alliance had lost “narrowly and suspiciously” in several constituencies. It also criticised the Election Commission’s “reluctance” to publish voter turnout figures and alleged that elements within the interim administration had shown favouritism toward a major political party.
“All of this undoubtedly raises serious questions about the integrity of the results process,” the statement said.
According to officials in Dhaka, nearly 61 per cent of the registered voters took part in the elections, and more than 65 per cent voted in the referendum.
BNP Chairman Tarique RahmanTarique, son of former President Gen. Ziaur Rahman, won Dhaka-17 with 72,699 votes, defeating his nearest rival by a margin of 4,399 votes. He was also unofficially elected from Bogra-6, securing 216,284 votes.
The elections, held on Thursday, were Bangladesh’s first national vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to official figures, the BNP secured 210 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 73 seats, and independents claimed 8 seats. A simple majority in the 300-member parliament requires 151 seats.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to what he described as a “decisive victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting a democratic and progressive neighbour.
‎In a message posted on X, Modi conveyed his “warm congratulations” to Rahman, saying, “This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.”
‎The Prime Minister underscored India’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic journey. “India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said, signaling New Delhi’s readiness to work closely with the new leadership in Dhaka.
‎Modi also expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” he added.
‎India and Bangladesh share deep historical, cultural, and economic links, with cooperation spanning trade, connectivity, energy, water resources, and security. Over the past decade, ties between the two countries have expanded significantly, particularly in cross-border infrastructure and regional connectivity initiatives.
‎The BNP, one of Bangladesh’s major political parties, has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape since the 1990s. Tarique Rahman, a senior party leader, has now emerged at the helm following the party’s electoral victory, marking a new phase in Bangladesh’s domestic politics.
‎Observers say the outcome of the parliamentary elections could shape the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, especially in areas such as trade integration, border management, and regional cooperation under multilateral frameworks.
The elections also included a referendum on the July National Charter, addressing limits on prime ministers’ terms, the creation of an upper house, and the restoration of the caretaker system to ensure free and fair polls.
President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on winning a landslide in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, giving them the mandate to form the next government. He also praised the people of Bangladesh for the smooth conduct of polls across 299 constituencies, with over 127 million registered voters participating.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic aspirations and expressed hope for strengthened cooperation in trade, defense, cultural exchanges, and regional engagement. He wished Bangladesh continued stability, progress, and prosperity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated Tarique Rahman and the people of Bangladesh, expressing eagerness to work with the new leadership to enhance historic bilateral relations.
UNI JRC