Bangladesh Nationalist Party secures majority, Tarique Rahman likely to become PM, what Sheikh Hasina said in her first statement after polling
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a majority in the general elections held in Bangladesh on Thursday. The party won 151 out of 299 seats.
Results for 206 seats have been declared so far in the Bangladesh elections. Tarique Rahman's BNP has won 159 seats, while Jamaat-ul-Haq has won 45.
BNP President Tarique Rahman is almost certain to become Prime Minister. Rahman contested two seats and won both.
The 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has so far won only 42 seats. Jamaat Chief Shafiqur Rahman won the Dhaka-15 seat.
Other parties and independent candidates have won two seats. Voting for the general elections reached 48% by 2 pm, with voting continuing until 4:30 pm. The total voter turnout is still pending.
Farce: Sheikh Hasina
While Chief Adviser of the interim government Muhammad Yunus hailed the moment as “the beginning of an unprecedented journey toward a new Bangladesh”, deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her first statement after the polling, called it a “farce” by Yunus. “Voter turnout was negligible in most polling centers nationwide, and in many centers across the capital and other areas, there were no voters at all,” the statement read.
India wanted Awami League to be given a chance to contest
India has repeatedly and officially stated that it wants "inclusive" and "participatory" elections in Bangladesh—which clearly meant that India wanted the Awami League to be given a chance to contest the elections.
But this did not happen. After the Awami League's activities were banned, the Bangladesh Election Commission did not allow the party to contest the elections. As a result, the February 12 elections were held without the Awami League.
Nine people died during voting
At least nine people have been reported dead amid violence and chaos during voting for the 13th parliamentary election in Bangladesh. The deceased include a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader, a presiding officer, and a polling officer.
According to reports, these deaths occurred on polling day in various parts of the country. Some people suddenly became ill at polling stations, some collapsed while returning home after casting their votes, and some lost their lives while performing their polling duties. These incidents have sparked accusations and counter-accusations.