BNP celebrates election victory with prayers for peace and stability
Party leaders urge supporters to refrain from celebrations and pray "for the future of Bangladesh”. Jamaat-e-Islami acknowledges defeat but is "not satisfied" with the electoral process. India, Pakistan, and the United States have reacted. The referendum has not yet been decided, pending official results.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) scored a clear victory, by a wide margin, in a smooth election that did not encounter any major challenge, ensuring its return to power after nearly 20 years, while its leader Tarique Rahman, who spent many years in exile, becomes the prime minister-designate.
This could inspire optimism after months of uncertainty and a slowing economy, but unresolved issues remain, starting with the influence of radical Muslims and the future of religious minorities.
For now, the BNP is urging its supporters “refrain from victory processions or public celebrations”, calling on the country “to observe a day of prayers today (13 February), seeking peace, stability, and guidance for the future of Bangladesh," the party says in an X post.
Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and assassinated former President Ziaur Rahman, faces major challenges on the short run in order to restore political stability, gain investor confidence, and rebuild key sectors, including the garment industry.
The latter, which has been the main driver in the country’s economy in recent years, experienced some turbulence following the collapse in August 2024 of the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in exile in India.
The caretaker government led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, HAS tried to ensure a smooth transition and safeguard the country, but has failed to implement some necessary reforms.
The still unofficial vote count of the general election (deemed the first truly competitive vote in recent years) awarded the BNP and its allies at least 212 of the 299 elected seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation, according to the Election Commission. The other political alliance, led by Jamaat-e-Islami, won 77 seats.
Voter turnout was around 60 per cent, far higher than the 42 per cent recorded in the 2024 election.
Late yesterday evening, Jamaat-e-Islami admitted defeat. This morning it asked its supporters to remain patient although it said that it was "not satisfied" with the electoral process.
Yesterday’s were the party’s best results ever, with more than 70 seats in parliament, running for the first time after it was banned in 2013. Chief Adviser Yunus lifted the ban following Hasina's ouster.
The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by young activists who played a key role in overthrowing the former prime minister, won only five of the 30 seats it contested, after it joined the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance led.
A clear result was considered necessary to restore stability to the country of 175 million people, following months of anti-Hasina unrest.
"A strong majority gives the BNP the parliamentary strength to pass reforms efficiently and avoid legislative paralysis. That alone can create short-term political stability," said Selim Raihan, an economics professor at the University of Dhaka.
In its manifesto, the BNP promised to prioritise job creation, protect low-income families, and ensure fair prices for farmers.
Meanwhile, foreign leaders also reacted. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the United States Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, were among the first to congratulate Rahman on his victory.
India, China, and the United States are competing for influence in the South Asian country. This was also confirmed by the recent interview of the US diplomatic representative in Dhaka, who, speaking to Reuters, expressed concern over Beijing's growing presence.
Since Hasina fled to India, relations between New Delhi and Dhaka have become increasingly tense, creating problems for trade and travel (visa).
Finally, the referendum outcome remains to be determined. Jamuna TV reported that more than two million voters chose "Yes" while more than 850,000 opted for "No" in a referendum that could lead to significant changes to the existing constitution, but there is no official news on the outcome.
Among the expected changes are, for example, term limits for the prime minister (two mandates), greater independence for the courts, and even greater representation for women. Neutral caretaker governments could be established during elections, and a new house of parliament could be added.
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