BNP returns to power after two decades in landslide victory, Tarique Rahman set to become Prime Minister

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections has ended and the results of most of the seats have been announced. There has been a lot of interest in the country as well as the international media surrounding the election. According to a Reuters report, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has won a big victory in this election.

According to the Election Commission, the BNP and its allies have won at least 212 of the 299 seats. On the other hand, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies have won 77 seats. As a result, BNP is on the way to returning to power after almost two decades. The report mentions that the party chairman Tarique Rahman is set to become the Prime Minister.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in 2024, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took office. This election is seen as important to restore stability after a long period of political unrest. Analysts say the main challenges for the new government will be to restore political stability, restore investor confidence and strengthen key economic sectors, including the garment industry.

Dhaka University economics professor Selim Raihan said the BNP's strong majority in parliament will allow it to pass reforms quickly, which could help bring stability at least in the short term.

However, 12 hours after the results were announced, Tarique Rahman has not made any formal statements. He has urged BNP supporters to pray instead of holding victory processions. He also did not speak to journalists gathered in front of his residence in Dhaka, although he waved to them from his car as he drove to a mosque.

The NCP, which played a role in the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, won only six of the 30 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami accepted the election results but expressed dissatisfaction with the process and urged supporters to remain calm.

About 60 percent of voters participated in the election, according to media reports, which is higher than in previous elections. A record number of about 50 political parties and more than 2,000 candidates participated in the elections.

Meanwhile, more than 2 million voters voted 'yes' and about 850,000 voted 'no' in a referendum on constitutional reform, although the official results have not yet been announced. The proposed reforms include limiting the prime minister's term, increasing the independence of the judiciary, increasing women's representation, a system of impartial government during elections, and the formation of a bicameral parliament.

The election has also received international reactions. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and the US Ambassador to Dhaka have congratulated Tarique Rahman. According to analysts, the new government will have to maintain a diplomatic balance amid the competition for influence between India, China, and the United States.