THE Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has claimed victory in the country’s first election since the 2024 uprising, positioning itself to form the next government.

The party’s media unit said on social media today that it had secured enough seats in parliament to govern on its own.

The final tally has not yet been announced by the Election Commission, but several local media outlets reported the BNP crossing the 151-seat threshold needed for a majority in the unicameral 350-member parliament, which includes 50 reserved seats for women proportionately distributed among the winning parties.

The Election Commission said today the voter turnout in Thursday’s election stood at 59.44 per cent of the more than 127 million eligible voters.

The BNP is headed by Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-exile in London. He is the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who died in December.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, senior joint secretary-general of the BNP, extended congratulations to the people of Bangladesh on the party’s electoral victory in a statement.

China, India, Pakistan and the US all sent messages of congratulations to Mr Rahman.

Historically, Bangladesh has enjoyed mixed relationships with the two regional powers: India and Pakistan.

The 11-party alliance led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, a right-wing religious party secured at least 77 seats, according to local TV channels.