Bangladesh Election Result Live Updates: Tarique Rahman may take oath as PM tomorrow, PM Modi congratulates

The BNP has stated that it plans to form the government on 15 February. However, it is allowed only after the Election Commission formally declares the results.

Official election results are expected only after a government gazette is issued, which could happen as early as tomorrow morning, according to Al Jazeera. A public liaison director has indicated that no formal announcement is likely this evening, according to the publication. The counting in 297 constituencies is unofficially over.

The Election Commission put the BNP at 181 seats, the Jamaat-e-Islami at 61 and others at 7, with full official results yet to come.

Watch | After the Friday prayers and after making the supplication, BNP chairman Tarique Rahman leaves from a mosque

Though he never held office in his mother Khaleda Zia’s governments, Tarique Rahman wielded significant influence within the BNP, serving as acting chairman, senior vice chairman, and senior joint secretary.

The Bangladesh elections assumed significance it was held after a period of tumultuous political vacuum, instability and fragile security situation including widespread attacks on minorities after the student-led protests brought down the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina in August last year.

“Warmest congratulations to @trahmanbnp and the @bdbnp78 on winning the Bangladesh General Elections. This resounding mandate reflects the confidence of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership. I look forward to strengthening the warm friendship between Bhutan and Bangladesh,” says Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay.

Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council, said while the outcome appears as “a blow to the spirit of the 2024 revolution,” as the BNP has long been associated with corruption and dynastic politics, it will still face significant pressure to act differently this time.

“The BNP will need to be on its toes,” he said.

Shafiqur Rahman, who heads Jamaat-e-Islami, secured a seat in Dhaka and is poised to become the opposition leader in Parliament. But his party voiced objections to the handling of the election results.

The Election Commission said Friday the voter turnout in Thursday’s election stood at 59.44%. More than 127 million voters were eligible, with almost half of them women and 5 million first-timers.

“My hearty congratulations, shubhonandan, to all my brothers and sisters, all the people, in Bangladesh. My advance Ramazan mubarak to all of them. For this great victory, my congratulations to my Tarique-Bhai, his party, and all the parties. Pray, you all be well and happy. Wish that our relations with Bangladesh be always cordial,” says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman is likely to take oath as Bangladesh PM on Saturday, reports PTI.

BNP in its manifesto has also promised to ensure fair, price-index-based wages in line with inflation and a review system to be launched every two years.

In its manifesto, BNP has promised to create nearly 1 million new jobs in the information and communication technology sector

“I would like to extend my congratulations. After the protests in Bangladesh and the subsequent disruption of democratic order, a government had emerged that stood against the long-standing relationship with India. There were incidents of lynching, murders, and targeted attacks against minorities, particularly Hindus. It is hoped that after this election, these issues will come to an end and that (Tarique) Rahman will help restore democracy and refocus on economic growth rather than radicalisation influenced by Pakistan. I extend my congratulations on behalf of myself and my party, with the expectation that attacks on minorities and the broader challenges facing Bangladesh will now be resolved,” says Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi.

“For the past few years, there was an atmosphere of instability in Bangladesh. The general public was troubled, and especially minorities were facing atrocities, with selective targeting and killings taking place. In such circumstances, the election of a government sends a strong message to the world…This is a positive development and sends a good message globally. I hope this will bring political stability to Bangladesh,” says BJP MLA Vikram Randhawa.

“We hope that the relationship between two neighbouring countries and the people of these two countries will be strengthened. We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating our leader, Tarique Rahman. It's great that a democratic country is supposed to recognise the verdict of the people,” says Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP's polls coordination committee chief.

Bangladeshi freedom fighter TM Rezaul Karin expressed to ANI in an interview the popularity of BNP in the country. He noted that while there were a few untoward incidents, the elections largely remained peaceful, with people from all religions coming out and voting.

BNP was in power last time between 2001 and 2006 when Jamaat was its crucial partner, with two of its leaders serving as ministers.

According to multiple media reports, EC is expected to declare BNP the winner in the general elections with tallies in predawn hours on Friday, suggesting it got majority seats in parliament.

Voters approve reforms, including the establishment of a caretaker government and an independent election commission, the introduction of a bicameral parliament, term limits for the prime minister, enhanced presidential powers and judicial independence, and increased women's representation in parliament.

“On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I congratulate Mr. Tarique Rahman and the BNP for winning the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. India and Bangladesh share deep rooted bonds of history, language, culture, and multitude of other commonalities. A democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh would always be supported by all Indians for the stability and peace of our region,” Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge wrote on X.

People in Bangladesh who, along with general elections had voted for a referendum in the country have expressed their support for constitutional reforms, as per local media outlets. According to the Daily Star, the referendum in Bangladesh saw an overwhelming YES, with 65.3% (27,00,844) of votes in favour.

According to the latest announcements made by the Bangladesh Election Commission, BNP has officially won 130 seats which is just 21 seats away from the majority needed to form the government

A BNP victory would cap a remarkable return to power two decades after its last full government mandate, and represents a setback to the youth-led movement that toppled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a violent street revolution fueled by grievances over joblessness and lack of economic opportunities in 2024.

“BNP coming to power is the best option for India. A Jamaat-led government would have meant a new reality for both Bangladesh and India. BNP has been in power. Delhi and Dhaka have engaged, though it has not been the best of relationships,” said Haldar senior journalist and author Deep Haldar. Read more here

“We also on behalf of our party thank him and we believe that under the leadership of our leader Tarique Rahman, the relation between these two countries and people of these two countries will be strengthened,” says Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP's polls coordination committee chief

“Winning a majority of seats, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party is going to form the government,” the BNP Media Cell wrote.

The BNP's chairman, Tarique Rahman, has requested that the celebration of this victory be postponed out of respect for the passing of his mother, Khaleda Zia, before the election. Therefore, they have called for prayers for Khaleda Zia after the Friday congregational prayer.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman is widely expected to be sworn in as prime minister. The son of the party's founder, former president Ziaur Rahman, he returned in December to the capital, Dhaka, from 18 years abroad.

“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,” Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X.

“I look forward to working closely with the new Bangladesh leadership to further strengthen our historic, brotherly multifaceted bilateral relations and advance our shared goals of peace, stability, and development in South Asia and beyond.”

"We are not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results," Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement. Official results are yet to be released, and the party urged "everyone to remain patient".

Shafiqur Rahman, who heads Jamaat-e-Islami, secured a seat in Dhaka and is poised to become the opposition leader in Parliament. But his party voiced objections to the handling of the election results.

The election was seen as a direct contest between the BNP and its former ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina's now disbanded Awami League.

According to the Daily Star, vote counting has been completed in 237 constituencies, with just 62 remaining.

Tarique Rahman is the son of BNP supremo and former Bangladesh PM Khaleda Zia. He returned to Bangladesh few months back, after ending his 17 years of self-imposed exile in London. He is likely to become the next prime minister of Bangladesh.

Latest counts in an election seen as Bangladesh's first truly competitive in years gave the BNP and its allies at least 212 of the 299 seats up for grabs, domestic TV channels cited by Reuters said. The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 70 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

“I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership. India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” PM Narendra Modi said in a post on X.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has congratulated the BNP and Tarique Rahman for their win in the Bangladesh elections, saying that Pakistan supports Bangladesh's democratic aspirations.

If BNP chief Tarique Rehman is elected as the Prime Minister, Bangladesh will get its first male PM in 36 years.

According to an Election Commission spokesperson cited by PTI, the results in several seats were still being processed and were likely to be announced in a few hours.

Opinion polls had given BNP an edge and the party lived up to the forecasts, with the coalition it dominates winning 209 seats to secure an overwhelming two-thirds majority in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, Jamuna TV showed.

“We are neighbors, we are friends, and we should remain friends. We share a very large border. What is a security risk for India is also a security risk for us. So, we should look after each other. There are some minor issues along our border areas, and these should be resolved mutually and jointly so that we can live in harmony. Why would we have anything against India? We don’t. India should work with the people of Bangladesh,” says BNP leader Zeba Amina Khan.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday said that it is set to form the government as vote counting is underway for the 13th parliamentary elections in the country.

In a post on X, the BNP Media cell said in the early hours of Friday, "The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP is set to form the government after winning the majority of seats."

BNP chairman Tarique Rahman has won from Dhaka-17 constituency, PTI reports.

Visuals from Bangladesh Election Commission office as results of the general elections are being posted on notice boards.

More than 2,000 candidates - including many independents - were on the ballot, and at least 50 parties contested seats, a national record. Voting in one constituency was postponed after a candidate died.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair early Friday alleged that certain officials linked to the Election Commission were deliberately delaying the announcement of results in several constituencies, Daily Star reported.

The US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, has congratulated the BNP and its leader Tarique Rahman on a "successful election" and a "historic victory".

"The United States looks forward to working with you to realize shared goals of prosperity and security for both our countries," he wrote.

As as reminder, the official results are not in yet - though local media have projected a sweeping victory for the BNP.

Dhaka Tribune: BNP 198 seats, Jamaat 62 seats and NCP two seats

Daily Star: BNP and allies 140 seats, Jamaat and allies 37 seats

Jamuna TV: 211 seats for the BNP alliance; 70 for the Jamaat alliance; and 6 for others

Somoy TV: 197 seats for the BNP alliance; 58 for the Jamaat alliance; and 4 for others

Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, in a party statement, claimed a "sweeping victory", without giving figures, calling for followers to give thanks in prayer on Friday rather than celebrate on the streets.

"There will be no victory rally despite the BNP's sweeping victory," the statement said. "We will hold special prayers at mosques after Jumma (Friday) prayers across the country."