The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured its position to form a single-party government, winning close to a two-thirds majority in the 13th national parliamentary election. As per the party’s prior announcement, Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister.
In this historic election held on February 12, the BNP achieved a landslide victory, earning the qualification to form a single-party government. Meanwhile, in a fiercely contested election, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured its highest number of seats in its history, positioning itself to become the main opposition party in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).
According to the unofficial results announced by returning officers, the BNP secured more than two-thirds of the seats. Out of the 296 constituency results received late at night, the BNP won 207 seats. The 11-party alliance led by Jamaat secured 77 seats, with the National Citizen Party (NCP) winning 6 of those. Additionally, independent and other candidates won 12 seats. Voting in Sherpur-3 constituency has been postponed due to the death of a candidate, and results for a few other constituencies are on hold pending legal cases.
In this election, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman participated for the first time and won both Dhaka-17 and Bogura-6 constituencies. The BNP confirmed his victories through a press conference. Separately, party sources reported that Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Dr. Shafiqur Rahman won the Dhaka-15 constituency.
Alongside the parliamentary election, the referendum on reforms also saw a decisive victory for ‘Yes’ votes. Sources from the Election Commission indicate that over 75 percent of votes in the referendum were ‘Yes’. Voter turnout for the parliamentary election was approximately 61 percent.
Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of the interim government, stated that the election was held in a peaceful and festive atmosphere. Expressing gratitude to the nation, he remarked that this was one of the most peaceful and festive elections in the country’s history, marking the beginning of a new Bangladesh.
Voting took place nationwide from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM. After the polls closed, returning officers unofficially declared the results following counting at each center.
Meanwhile, in the Dhaka-8 constituency, BNP candidate Mirza Abbas won by securing 4,980 more votes than his closest rival, Nasiruddin Patwari of NCP. Conversely, BNP’s Aminul Haque was defeated in Dhaka-16, where Jamaat’s candidate Colonel (Retd.) Abdul Baten emerged victorious.
A dispute has arisen regarding the results of the Dhaka-13 constituency. Jamaat’s candidate, Maulana Mamunul Haque, has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the outcome. A delegation from Jamaat was reportedly present at the Election Commission until the latest update.
The final results will be confirmed through an official announcement by the Election Commission.