All eyes are on Tarique Rahman as the BNP prepares to form the next government

A new chapter in Bangladesh’s political landscape appears imminent, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) poised to form the government after securing a two-thirds majority in a largely peaceful national election—ending years of largely uncontested polls.

In a post on X on Friday, the party’s media unit said BNP had won enough seats to govern on its own. Although the Election Commission has yet to publish the final results, unofficial counts indicate the party has surpassed the 151-seat threshold required for a parliamentary majority.

The result marks a dramatic political comeback for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its acting chairman Tarique Rahman, placing him in line to potentially become the country’s next prime minister. Just two years ago, Tarique was in self-imposed exile in London while many party leaders and activists were imprisoned during the tenure of Sheikh Hasina.

Following the decisive victory, BNP extended congratulations to the people of Bangladesh. The party announced that special prayers would be offered after Jum’a in mosques nationwide for the eternal peace of late Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and for the well-being of the country. It also declared that no rallies or public celebrations would be held.

BNP urged its leaders, activists, supporters and affiliated organisations to join the nationwide prayers, and called on people of all faiths to offer prayers at temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship for the nation’s prosperity.

International reactions followed swiftly. The United States congratulated the people of Bangladesh on holding a successful election. In a Facebook post, the US Embassy in Dhaka conveyed greetings to BNP and Tarique Rahman on what it described as a “historic victory.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive win in the parliamentary elections. In his message, Modi said the outcome reflected the trust of the Bangladeshi people in Tarique’s leadership and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif similarly congratulated Tarique on what he termed a resounding victory, expressing hope for closer cooperation to strengthen historic bilateral ties and advance shared goals of peace, stability and development in South Asia and beyond.

Across the country, millions of voters cast their ballots in what observers described as a festive atmosphere, with long queues seen at polling centres from early morning. Voting began at 7:30am and continued until 4:30pm, followed by counting. By around 9:00pm, the Election Commission Secretariat reported an average voter turnout of 59.44 percent. Polling in 42,651 centres across 299 constituencies concluded largely peacefully, with only isolated incidents of scuffles and tension.

With BNP’s victory, Bangladesh is set to have a male prime minister for the first time in 35 years. The last man to hold the office was Kazi Zafar Ahmed, who assumed the premiership in 1988 during the rule of Hussain Muhammad Ershad. Since 1990, the country’s top executive post has alternated between Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.

Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh from London last December after nearly two decades abroad, responding to what many described as growing public demand for new leadership. The enthusiasm surrounding his homecoming appears to have culminated in the February 12 election outcome.

Throughout the campaign, he placed strong emphasis on youth empowerment, women’s advancement and farmers’ welfare. In a country where women account for nearly half the population and thousands of graduates enter the job market each year, Tarique repeatedly stressed the importance of harnessing the energy and potential of young people to build what he called a “new Bangladesh.”