Bangladesh held its first national election since a mass uprising ended the 15-year rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday. The contest is mainly between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its once ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of Hasina's now-disbanded Awami League. In the 13th parliamentary elections, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the frontrunner, and Tarique Rahman is the main contender to be the next prime minister of Bangladesh.

Tarique Rahman, the BNP chairman, returned to Bangladesh after 17 years of exile in December last year. Tarique Rahman is the eldest son of former Bangladesh President late Ziaur Rahman and three-time Prime Minister later Khaleda Zia. During his mother's tenure, Rahman was often referred to as 'Dark Prince' and he was believed to be the de facto boss. Many claimed that he ran a "shadow PMO" out of Hawa Bhaban.

According to a December poll by the US-based International Republican Institute, the BNP is likely to win most of the seats in the February elections. Furthermore, several pre-poll surveys indicate a clear dominance by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the election.

EASD Survey -A survey carried out by the Eminence Associates for Social Development (EASD) suggested that the BNP-led alliance could win approximately 208 seats (of 300) in the Bangladesh election, according to the Dhaka Tribune. The Jamaat-e-Islami is likely to secure 46 seats, the survey said.

The survey suggested that the BNP enjoys strong support among women voters, with the EASD Chief Executive Officer Shamim Hayder Talukdar saying that 80 per cent of former Awami League voters expressed intention to vote for the BNP.

NRC Poll -A survey by the Nationalist Research Cell (NRC) echoed BNP's advantage and projected that the BNP could secure 77 per cent of the vote and win 220 seats. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami was projected to win 57 seats, with the rest split among smaller parties and independents.

IILD Survey- The survey held by the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy (IILD) suggested that while the BNP-led alliance was clearly ahead in terms of overall vote share, the Jamaat-led electoral alliance was leading in constituencies where victory appeared assured, reported Prothom Alo. The survey further claimed that the BNP-led alliance may secure 44.1 percent of the vote, while an electoral alliance of 11 political parties led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami could receive 43.9 per cent.

Tarique Rahman has promised to adopt a 'Bangladesh-first' approach while governing the country if the BNP is voted to power, and pledged to end entrenched corruption and put the country on a "new path".

Tarique Rahman cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College centre in Dhaka's upscale Gulshan area. "I have exercised my constitutional right to vote. For more than a decade, the people of Bangladesh have been waiting for this day," Rahman said, emerging from the polling centre. He said if elected to power, "We will lay priority to improving law and order in the country so that people feel secure".

Apoorva Shukla is a journalist at Times Now, where she thrives on dissecting political developments both at home and abroad. A graduate of Delhi Univ...View More

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