BNP secures majority in Bangladesh polls, Tarique Rahman likely to become PM

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secures Thumping Majority in Parliamentary Election

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the clear winner in the country’s parliamentary election, according to results published by the Bangladesh Election Commission on Saturday. The BNP, led by Tarique Rahman, secured at least 212 out of 299 parliamentary seats, while its allies won an additional number of seats.

The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 77 seats, while the National Citizen Party, a party led by youth activists who played a key role in toppling the previous government, won just six of the 30 seats it contested. The BNP had asked voters to refrain from large celebrations and instead offer special prayers.

In a statement, Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s interim leader, congratulated Rahman on his party’s “landslide victory”. Yunus stated that Rahman would help guide the country towards stability, inclusiveness, and development.

The opposition Jamaat-e-Islami party has also issued a statement accepting the overall outcome of the election. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, congratulated the BNP, Rahman, and the people of Bangladesh on Saturday night.

Source: Al Jazeera