The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a sweeping victory in parliamentary elections, local television channels reported on Friday, handing the party a decisive mandate in what many view as a critical moment for restoring political stability in the South Asian country.

 

Thursday’s vote marked Bangladesh’s first national election since the 2024 Gen Z-led uprising that brought an end to long-time premier Sheikh Hasina’s rule.

 A clear result was widely seen as essential for stability in the Muslim-majority nation of 175 million, after months of violent anti-Hasina protests disrupted daily life and affected key sectors, including the apparel industry in the world’s second-largest garment exporter.

 

It was also the first national poll in the region following youth-driven revolts led by under-30s, with neighbouring Nepal set to go to the polls next month.

 

Pre-election surveys had indicated an advantage for the BNP, and the results appeared to reflect those projections. According to Jamuna TV, the BNP-led alliance won 209 seats, securing a two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

 

Soon after gaining a majority in the overnight count, the party thanked voters and called for special prayers for the country’s welfare. 

In a statement, the BNP urged supporters not to hold celebratory rallies or processions despite the scale of the victory, instead encouraging prayers at mosques, temples, churches, and pagodas nationwide.

 

The party is headed by Tarique Rahman, 60, a leading candidate for prime minister and the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman. 

The BNP’s campaign focused on financial support for low-income families, introducing a 10-year term limit for the prime minister’s office, attracting foreign investment to boost the economy, and strengthening anti-corruption measures.

 

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the BNP and its leader on their electoral success. According to the Presidency, President Zardari also congratulated the people of Bangladesh for the peaceful conduct of the polls across 299 constituencies, with more than 127 million registered voters participating.

 

Reiterating Pakistan’s support for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and democratic aspirations, the president said Islamabad looked forward to working with the new government to enhance cooperation in trade, defence, cultural exchanges, and regional platforms.

President Zardari said the elections in Bangladesh mark an opportunity for South Asia to move beyond past phases in which regional cooperation, including within SAARC, was held hostage by India, which continues to paralyse the great forum that was born in Bangladesh in 1985.

 

He expressed the hope that the new political environment in Dhaka would contribute to more balanced, independent, and mutually respectful engagement across the region.

 

The president conveyed his best wishes for the continued stability, progress, and prosperity of Bangladesh.

 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a separate message on X, said: “I extend my warmest felicitations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading the BNP to a resounding victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful conduct of the elections.”

 

The PM said he looked forward to working closely with the new Bangladesh leadership further to strengthen our historic, brotherly, multifaceted bilateral relations and advance our shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.