New Delhi: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies secured a decisive majority in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, according to unofficial results declared by the Election Commission (EC).
As per media reports citing EC data from 297 constituencies, the BNP-led alliance won 212 seats. The BNP alone secured 209 seats, while its allies — Ganosamhati Andolan, Bangladesh Jatiya Party and Gono Odhikar Parishad — won one seat each.
The Jamaat-e-Islami-led bloc emerged as the second-largest grouping, winning 77 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami itself captured 68 constituencies, with its allies National Citizen Party (NCP) winning six seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis two seats, and Khelafat Majlis one seat. Islami Andolan Bangladesh won one seat, while independent candidates secured victories in seven constituencies, the Daily Star reported.
The Election Commission postponed polling in the Sherpur-3 (Sreebordi–Jhenaigati) constituency following the death of Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Nuruzzaman Badol. Results in Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4 were withheld due to pending legal proceedings.
Separate media updates earlier in the day indicated that the BNP and its allies had crossed the majority mark, confirming the party’s return to power after nearly two decades. BNP leader Tarique Rahman who won from both constituencies he contested is set to become the next prime minister of Bangladesh.
The elections also marked a significant shift in Bangladesh’s political landscape, with the Awami League’s “boat” symbol absent from ballots for the first time in three decades. The development follows the interim government’s decision to suspend the party’s registration after the 2024 student-led protests that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sheikh Hasina, who has been living in exile in New Delhi since her removal from office, criticised the elections in public statements, describing them as “illegal.”
With BNP coming to power, the party has reiterated its demand for Hasina’s extradition from India. BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed told media that his party will formally urge India to extradite the ousted prime minister to stand trial.
“We will press for her [Hasina] extradition in accordance with the law. It is a matter between the foreign ministry of Bangladesh and the foreign ministry of India. We will urge the government of India to send her back to face trial,” he was quoted as telling to media by the Daily Star.
Meanwhile, diplomatic engagement followed the announcement of results. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Tarique Rahman and congratulated him on the BNP’s electoral performance.
In a post on X, Modi said he conveyed his best wishes and reiterated India’s commitment to strengthening ties with Bangladesh. He emphasised the “deep-rooted historical and cultural connections” between the two countries and expressed support for Bangladesh’s peace, progress and prosperity.
The BNP’s victory is expected to shape the next phase of governance in Dhaka, as attention turns to government formation and policy priorities following the polls.
