New Delhi:Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday claimed victory in the crucial general elections, marred by sporadic incidents of violence, to elect a new government to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the fall of the Awami League regime in August 2024. "The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP is set to form the governmentafter victory in the majority of seats," BNP's media cell posted on X. The Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement.
According to multiple media reports, the 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.
Different media tallies suggested BNP received more than 151 seats in the 300-seat parliament on Thursday’s daylong voting, fair enough to form the next government, ending the 18-month rule of Muhammad Yunus-led interim government.
According to an EC spokesperson, the results in several seats are still being processed and are likely to be announced in a few hours. The congratulatory messages have already started pouring in for the BNP, while the EC is yet to announce the official results.
Tarique Rahman, the son of the country’s former Prime Minister Khaleda Ziawho died in December 2025, is likely to take charge of the country’s leadership as Prime Minister.
While the results of Bangladesh’s high-stakes elections are almost clear, and there is likely an air of suspense on the next leadership that will run the country, what’s not clear is the future of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had to escape the country in the wake of violent protests and is currently living in exile in India.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has appealed to India to hand over Sheikh Hasina, saying doing so will not be an act of a friendly gesture between the two neighbors.
In a statement earlier, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry during the Yunus-led regime in a message to New Delhi had conveyed "refuge to these individuals, who have been convicted of crimes against humanity, by any other country would be a highly unfriendly act and a disregard for justice."
Sheikh Hasina is facing a death sentence for the violent crackdown on student protesters during the 2024 July uprising.
During her stay in exile in India, Sheikh Hasina has issued significant statements on the interim leadership and violence against minorities in the incumbent Yunus-led regime. She called out the recently concluded national election as “sham,” hitting out at the administration for conducting polls in an atmosphere of fear and violence.
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