Dhaka, 13 February (H.S.): Bangladesh's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, has crossed the halfway mark by securing 151 seats in the 300-member Jatiya Sangsad, according to Ekattor TV broadcasts on Friday morning following Thursday's polling.

This marks the first election since the 2024 Gen Z student uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, which remains banned; voter turnout exceeded 55% amid a concurrent national referendum on the July Charter.

The BNP-led alliance, contesting 292 seats with promises of economic revival, anti-corruption measures, and women's security, dominated early trends from over 127 million eligible voters across 299 constituencies (one canceled due to a candidate's death).

Tarique Rahman, son of late Premier Khaleda Zia, clinched victories in Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6, positioning him as the frontrunner for prime minister.

Jamaat-e-Islami's 11-party coalition, emphasizing Islamic governance and diversification beyond garments, trailed with 42 seats per Ekattor TV, its chief Shafiqur Rahman hinting at concession.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin praised the largely peaceful process despite isolated clashes and blasts, with 500 foreign observers from the EU and Commonwealth present; interim leader Muhammad Yunus hailed it as Bangladesh's new birthday.

Exiled Hasina branded the polls a voterless farce from India, while security incidents like a BNP leader's death in Khulna and minority concerns underscored tensions. Official results are awaited, but the outcome promises to reshape South Asian stability amid India-watched dynamics on migration and regional axes.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar