Bangladesh Nationalist Party wins majority in general elections — the first after "Generation Z" protests
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) achieved a decisive victory in the recent parliamentary elections, securing two-thirds of the seats, writes the BBC.
Photo: Md. Rakibul Hasan Rafiu/NurPhoto via Getty Images
According to the latest data, the BNP and its allies are set to win at least 212 out of 299 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad — the unicameral parliament. The Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies are likely to secure around 70 seats.
The former ruling party, the Awami League, has been banned since May last year and did not participate in the elections. Its leader, Sheikh Hasina, had headed the government for over 15 years and was overthrown in mass protests in the summer of 2024. She fled to neighboring India.
Following the country's uprising, the interim government of Bangladesh was led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who had previously lived in Paris. It was he who promoted these political reforms, which his fellow citizens have now voted on in a referendum.
"From today, we have the opportunity with every new step to build a new Bangladesh. This is a celebration, a day of joy, a day of freedom, the end of our nightmares. I congratulate you all," Yunus said on election day.
According to international agencies, election day was generally relatively calm, with local authorities reporting only a few incidents. The press published photos and videos of long queues at polling stations.
According to Reuters, the manual counting of paper ballots will continue until at least Friday noon.
The BNP has already thanked voters for their participation and called for special prayers on Friday for the country and its people. BNP leader Tarique Rahman is expected to be sworn in as prime minister.
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