Bangladesh's BNP declares landslide election win, Jamaat cries foul

2026-02-13 - 07:55

Bangladesh's opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party has declared a decisive victory in the nation's first general election since the 2024 mass uprising, claiming a two-thirds parliamentary supermajority. Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced Friday that the BNP secured a commanding majority in the 300-seat parliament, though election authorities have yet to release official certified results. The party issued a statement on social media confirming it was "elected in a large number of seats" while urging supporters to refrain from celebrations. Disputed Count and Competing Claims The Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, the BNP's principal competitor following the Awami League's disqualification, immediately raised objections to the tabulation process. The alliance declared itself "dissatisfied" with ballot counting and threatened public demonstrations should irregularities remain unaddressed. According to unofficial figures from local broadcaster Channel24 TV, the BNP has secured approximately 212 seats against 76 for the Jamaat-led bloc. The Election Commission reported Thursday voter turnout at 59.44%, a significant increase from the 41.8% recorded during the January 2024 elections boycotted by the BNP-Jamaat opposition. International Response and Constitutional Context More than 127.6 million voters participated in Thursday's polling, which proceeded largely peacefully despite nine reported fatalities. Voters simultaneously decided on constitutional reforms including reinstatement of a neutral caretaker administration. India, Malaysia, and Pakistan have extended congratulations to BNP leader Tarique Rahman. The Awami League, whose 15-year rule ended when Sheikh Hasina fled to India during the July 2024 protests that claimed approximately 1,400 lives, remains barred from electoral participation.