Khaleda Zia's BNP wins two-thirds majority in Bangladesh polls

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the clear winner in the country’s parliamentary election, according to local television reports, gaining a decisive mandate.

Thursday’s polling was Bangladesh’s first national election since the youth-led uprising of 2024 that forced long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power.

A decisive result had been viewed as vital for the Muslim-majority nation of about 175 million people following months of violent protests against Hasina that disrupted daily life and affected major industries, including the apparel sector — a cornerstone of the economy in the world’s second-largest garment-exporting country.

The election also followed a wave of movements driven by young people across the region, with Nepal scheduled to hold its own vote next month.

Pre-election surveys suggested the BNP held an advantage, and the outcome reflected those projections. Jamuna TV reported that the BNP-led coalition secured 209 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, giving it a commanding two-thirds majority.

After the overnight count confirmed its lead, the party issued a message of thanks to voters and called for nationwide prayers on Friday for the country’s wellbeing.

In a statement, the BNP asked supporters not to organise victory rallies or processions despite the large win, instead encouraging people to offer prayers in mosques, temples, churches and pagodas.

The party is headed by prime ministerial hopeful Tarique Rahman, 60, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and former president Ziaur Rahman. During the campaign, the BNP pledged financial assistance for low-income families, proposed limiting any individual’s tenure as prime minister to 10 years, promised economic growth through measures such as attracting foreign investment, and vowed to strengthen anti-corruption efforts.

The Jamaat-i-Islami-led alliance secured just 68 seats. In a statement, it said it was not “satisfied with the process surrounding the election results”, according to Al Jazeera.

The National Citizen Party (NCP), made up of youth activists who played a prominent role in the anti-Hasina movement and contested as part of the Jamaat-aligned bloc, captured five of the 30 constituencies it contested.

Despite the decisive outcome, the vote was regarded as the country’s most competitive election in years. Hasina’s Awami League — which governed for over 15 years before her removal — was barred from participating.

Turnout on Thursday appeared set to surpass the 42 per cent recorded in the 2024 election, with local media estimating that more than 60 per cent of registered voters cast ballots.

More than 2,000 candidates, including numerous independents, stood in the contest, while at least 50 parties fielded candidates — the highest number on record. Voting in one constituency was postponed following the death of a candidate.