BNP Claims Victory; Tarique Rahman Poised To Lead Bangladesh
BNP claimed victory in Thursday’s election — the first since the July 2024 uprising — with Tarique Rahman set to lead amid disputed tallies and pending official results.
Overview
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party claimed victory in Thursday’s national election, with its leader Tarique Rahman poised to lead the next government, local media and the party said.
The vote was the first since the July 2024 student uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina and was widely viewed as a test of whether protests would produce democratic reform.
The U.S. Embassy and leaders from India and Pakistan congratulated Rahman and the BNP, while Jamaat-e-Islami and allies alleged delayed counts and suspicious narrow losses, calling for official clarification.
Unofficial tallies varied, showing the BNP winning roughly 181 to 209 seats and Jamaat-led alliances about 61 to 68 seats, while reported turnout ranged roughly 59.44% to 60.69%.
The Election Commission has yet to publish official final results and the official referendum outcome on the July National Charter remains pending, decisions that will determine government formation and charter implementation.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Rahman cautiously, emphasizing his controversial past, dropped convictions, and leaked descriptions of him as “phenomenally corrupt,” while foregrounding expert warnings about repression, unrest, and risks of dynastic retribution. They present his pledges but structure coverage to prioritize historical allegations and security/economic concerns over triumphant narratives.
Sources (14)
FAQ
Tarique Rahman is the leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its prime ministerial candidate. He is the 60-year-old son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and returned to Bangladesh in December 2025 after 17 years in self-exile in London.
Unofficial tallies show BNP and allies winning 181 to 212 seats out of 299, securing a two-thirds majority, while Jamaat-e-Islami and allies received 61 to 68 seats.
This was the first national election since the July 2024 student uprising that toppled former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, viewed as a test for democratic reform and political stability.
The U.S. Embassy and leaders from India and Pakistan congratulated Tarique Rahman and the BNP on their victory.
Jamaat-e-Islami alleged delayed counts and suspicious narrow losses, calling for official clarification, though their leader conceded defeat; official results from the Election Commission are pending.
History
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