BNP Led by Tarique Rahman Gains Early Edge in Parliamentary Polls; Jamaat Likely to Sit in Opposition

Dhaka [Bangladesh]: According to preliminary expectations from the 13th national parliamentary election, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman is likely to win the Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6 seats.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, early returns show the BNP leading statewide, while the Jamaat-e-Islami is poised to take over as the biggest opposition party in parliament.

Shairul Kabir Khan, a member of the BNP Media Cell, reported on BNP Chairman’s victory in the Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6 constituencies.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, millions of electors voted on Thursday in a mostly calm and celebratory atmosphere, marking the first general election and national referendum since the July Revolution of 2024.

Voting began at 7:30 a.m. (local time) and lasted nine hours, with voters using two separate ballot papers, one for the parliamentary election and one for the referendum, which were placed in transparent ballot boxes at 42,659 polling sites worldwide.

Elections were held in 299 of the country’s 300 constituencies. The election in the Sherpur-3 constituency has been postponed due to the death of an MP candidate.

The Election Commission (EC) reported that voter turnout was 47.91 percent in 36,031 polling stations as of 2 p.m., nearly seven hours into voting.

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However, according to Dhaka Tribune reporters who visited numerous polling stations in the city, turnout varied by neighborhood, while voter turnout was noticeable from morning to afternoon.

At around 11 a.m., nearly four hours after polling began, long lines of over 700 voters were visible inside the playground of Banani Model School, where voters of various ages, including young voters, women, and the elderly, waited to exercise their franchise.

Several voters stated that this was the first peaceful and joyous election since the December 29, 2008 legislative elections.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, there was a huge turnout of elderly voters.

Voters queued in long lines at Segunbagicha High School and Begum Rahima High School centers beginning early in the morning. Male voter turnout was greater in the early hours, whereas female participation grew progressively.

Polling agents from the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were present at all Dhaka polling stations visited by this correspondent. However, certain independent candidates, notably Tasnim Jara, claimed that their polling agents were obstructed at specific locations.

Army soldiers were stationed at various polling stations, and patrols were conducted around the capital. The Dhaka Tribune said that security measures had been noticeably reinforced, with law enforcement stationed at crucial areas.

CCTV cameras were placed in most centers, including near booths, but some did not have cameras inside voting compartments. Election authorities stated that increased security and surveillance strengthened voter trust.

Tarique Rahman voted at Gulshan Model High School

Tarique Rahman, BNP Chairman, voted at Gulshan Model High School and College in Dhaka about 9:30 a.m. (local time), accompanied by his wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, and daughter, Zaima Rahman.

Tarique, who ran for Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6, encouraged people to turn up in huge numbers.The people of Bangladesh have long awaited this day. Today, the people have reclaimed their rights,” he stated.

He also claimed to have received information of “undesirable incidents” from several parts of the country on Wednesday night, adding that “if people turn up at polling stations in large numbers, any conspiracy can be thwarted.”

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, an Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, voted at the Manipur High School (Boys’ Branch) polling center about 8:30 am (local time).If a fair election is held in the country, we are hopeful of victory, Insha Allah,” he told reporters prior to voting.

National Citizens Party (NCP) convener Nahid Islam voted at AKM Rahmatullah University College this morning.I urge everyone to go to the polls without fear or impediment and vote in a happy atmosphere,” he stated.

The leaders of the three armed forces, the majority of the interim government’s advisers, and numerous candidates all expressed satisfaction after casting their ballots.

Nearly one million military, BGB, and police officers were deployed to maintain election day security. Authorities stated voting was completed countrywide with no reported fatalities.

The absence of the Awami League off the ballot for the first time in three decades made the election a straight confrontation of political views, largely between the BNP-led coalition and Jamaat-e-Islami, according to the Dhaka Tribune.

Several foreign missions and international election observers applauded the polls, including representatives from the European Union, Commonwealth, and IRI, citing a “strong sense of public enthusiasm” among voters, according to the report.