The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday secured a sweeping victory with more than two-thirds majority in the landmark parliamentary elections and is making a spectacular return to power after a gap of two decades.
The 13th Parliamentary elections assumed significance as they were held after a period of tumultuous political vacuum, instability and fragile security situation, including widespread attacks on minorities after the student-led protests brought down the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
According to the unofficial results announced by the Election Commission (EC), the BNP has bagged 209 out of 297 seats, while right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, known to be close to Pakistan, secured 68 seats. The Awami League party of Hasina was barred from contesting the polls, which recorded 59.44 per cent voter turnout.
The EC postponed the announcement of results in two seats -- Chattogram-2 and Chattogram-4. The election in one seat was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
BNP’s top leader Tarique Rahman is set to become the prime minister for the first time. He will replace the interim government chief Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, under whose tenure Dhaka’s relations with New Delhi witnessed a significant downturn.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Rahman and congratulated him on BNP’s spectacular victory.
The US Embassy in Dhaka has congratulated the people of Bangladesh in advance on what it described as a successful national election, extending special recognition to BNP and Rahman for their “historic victory.”
“The US looks forward to working with you to realise shared goals of prosperity and security for both our countries,” its social media post read.
China and Pakistan also congratulated the BNP chairman on the party’s victory. — PTI
'Yes' vote for national referendum wins clear majority with 60% turnout
February 13, 2026 11:39 pm
A referendum on the implementation of a reform package saw a 60.26 per cent voter turnout in Bangladesh, with the ‘yes’ vote winning a clear majority, the Election Commission announced Friday. The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held on Thursday along with the referendum on the complex 84-point reform package, known as the July National Charter. The referendum saw a 60.26 per cent voter turnout, the Election Commission (EC) said. As per the official figures, 4,80,74,429 votes were cast in favour of “yes”, while 2,25,65,627 voters chose “no”, EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said while talking to reporters at the EC.
After victory, BNP pushes for Sheikh Hasina's extradition from India
February 13, 2026 9:13 pm
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which secured a landslide victory in the General Election, on Friday reiterated its firm stance on seeking the extradition of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial. “The foreign minister has already persuaded the case for her extradition, and we also support it,” Senior BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed said. “We always press for her extradition according to the law. This is between the foreign ministries of the two countries. We also asked the government of India to please send her back to face trial in Bangladesh,” he added.
BNP heading towards victory; India, US congratulate Rahman
February 13, 2026 6:04 pm
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was Friday cruising towards a sweeping victory in the landmark parliamentary polls in the country and is all set to return to power after a gap of two decades. The elections assumed significance it was held after a period of tumultuous political vacuum, instability and fragile security situation including widespread attacks on minorities after the student-led protests brought down the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina in August last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Rahman and congratulated him on BNP's spectacular victory. The US Embassy in Dhaka congratulated the people of Bangladesh in advance on what it described as a successful national election, extending special recognition to BNP and Rahman for their "historic victory."
Two BNP candidates win, but await court hearing
February 13, 2026 1:58 pm
Two BNP candidates, Sarwar Alamgir from Chittagong-2 and Aslam Chowdhury from Chittagong-4, who have won unofficially will not be announced as winners till their appeal in a loan case in court is resolved, according to BBC Bangla.
Mamata Banerjee congratulates Tarique Rahman
February 13, 2026 1:44 pm
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on leading the party to a victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections.
US Embassy in Dhaka congratulates Rahman
February 13, 2026 1:41 pm
The US Embassy in Dhaka has congratulated the people of Bangladesh in advance on what it described as a successful national election, extending special recognition to BNP and Rahman for their “historic victory.” “Congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on a successful election and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Tarique Rahman on your historic victory. The United States looks forward to working with you to realise shared goals of prosperity and security for both our countries,” the post read. PTI
Tally as of 11.30 am
February 13, 2026 12:43 pm
The BNP and its allies have secured victories in 197 seats, while the Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies have won in 66 constituences, according to The Daily Star. Counting of votes has been completed in 270 constituencies, while it is underway in 29 seats.
Rahman set to become 1st male PM in 35 years
February 13, 2026 12:38 pm
The BNP had earlier announced that if it wins the election, then its chairman and former premier Khaleda Zia’s son, Tarique Rahman, would be the next prime minister of Bangladesh. If the party wins, Rahman will be Bangladesh’s first male prime minister in 35 years. “We are confident of forming the government by winning more than two-thirds of seats,” BNP’s central election steering committee spokesman Mahdi Amin told a media briefing in the early hours of Friday. Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December last year after over 17 years in self-exile, asked party leaders and activists to offer special prayers across the country after mid-day ‘Juma’ prayers instead of holding victory rallies. PTI
BNP thanks India for recognising Bangladesh election verdict, hopes for stronger bilateral ties
February 13, 2026 12:22 pm
The BNP on Friday thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for recognising the verdict of Bangladesh’s general elections and hoped that the relations between the two countries will be strengthened under the new government. Speaking to PTI videos, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) standing committee member and chief coordinator for the 2026 election Nazrul Islam Khan said the party appreciated Modi’s recognition of the people’s verdict. “We thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for congratulating our leader, Tarique Rahman. It is great that a democratic country is supposed to recognise the verdict of the people, and Mr Narendra Modi has done this. We thank him,” he said. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/bnp-thanks-india-for-recognising-bangladesh-election-verdict-hopes-for-stronger-bilateral-ties/
Pakistan's top leadership congratulates BNP on Bangladesh polls victory
February 13, 2026 11:32 am
Pakistan’s top political leadership on Friday congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on securing a landslide majority in the parliamentary elections. BNP claimed victory in the crucial national election held after the 2024 youth-led uprising that resulted in the fall of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. PTI
PM Modi congratulates BNP’s Tarique Rahman, says ‘India will support democratic, inclusive Bangladesh’
February 13, 2026 9:54 am
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warmly greeted Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman on his “decisive victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections and said he looked forward to working with him to advance common development goals. “I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh,” Modi said in a post on X. Modi said Rahman’s victory showed the trust of the people of Bangladesh in his leadership. Read more: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/india/pm-modi-congratulates-bnps-tarique-rahman-says-india-will-support-democratic-inclusive-bangladesh/
'Set to form government', says BNP as projected results show Rahman's win
February 13, 2026 8:48 am
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday said that it is set to form the government as vote counting is underway for the 13th parliamentary elections in the country. In a post on X, the BNP Media cell said in the early hours of Friday, "The Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP is set to form the government after winning the majority of seats." ANI
Projected results show BNP winning in 151 constituencies
February 13, 2026 8:15 am
As the vote counting process is underway, the projected voting results show the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leading in 151 constituencies in the country's 13th parliamentary elections, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune. According to the Dhaka Tribune, early morning vote counting showed BNP winning 151 constituencies so far. It further mentioned that the initial trends indicated Jamaat-e-Islami would emerge as the main opposition, securing 43 seats. ANI
