Bangladesh Election 2026 LIVE: BNP Declares Victory As It Crosses 200 Mark, Says 'Will Form New Govt'

With BNP set to win the Bangladesh election, its leadership has called for restraint and nationwide prayers rather than public celebrations.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has directed leaders and activists at all organisational tiers to offer special prayers across the country after Juma prayers today.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: Early results from Bangladesh’s 13th Parliament elections show the Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) leading in 151 constituencies, crossing the 150-seat mark required for an absolute majority in the 299-member parliament.

According to figures reported by BDNews24, the trends place the BNP ahead in a majority of seats as counting continues across the country. However, the Election Commission has not yet officially declared final results.

Initial tallies also indicate that Jamaat-e-Islami is leading in 43 constituencies, positioning it as the likely main opposition if current trends hold.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: BNP-backed candidate Bobby Hajjaj has won the Dhaka-13 constituency in the 13th Parliamentary Election, defeating Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque.

According to figures released by the Election Commission, Hajjaj, who contested with the Sheaf of Paddy symbol, secured 90,601 votes. His rival Mamunul Haque received 86,889 votes.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: The Citizen Party (NCP) on Thursday alleged vote rigging during the counting process in the Dhaka-8 constituency, warning that it would not accept the outcome if irregularities continue.

At a media briefing around 10 pm, NCP election chief Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain claimed attempts were being made to influence results in favour of BNP leader Mirza Abbas.

He alleged that Abbas’s wife was present during the counting process and questioned her authority to oversee proceedings.

“We see clear possibilities of manipulation. If they try to impose results, we will not accept them,” Bhuyain said.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed on Thursday said the final voter turnout percentage would be announced only after counting is completed in all 299 constituencies.

Speaking to journalists around 10:50 pm, shortly after announcing partial results from various seats, Ahmed urged patience.

“The percentage of votes will be announced after counting in all 299 seats. We will have to wait until then,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said that compiling the final results would take time as it includes both the parliamentary vote and the national referendum, along with postal ballots.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: Independent candidate Rumin Farhana has secured a decisive victory in the Brahmanbaria-2 constituency (Sarail, Ashuganj and parts of Bijoynagar), winning by a margin of 37,568 votes.

She was unofficially declared the winner around midnight by Assistant Returning Officer Abu Bakar Sarkar.

Farhana, who contested with the ‘Duck’ symbol, polled 1,17,495 votes across 151 polling centres. Her nearest rival, BNP alliance candidate Maulana Junaid Al Habib of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, received 79,927 votes.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has been unofficially declared the winner from the Thakurgaon-1 (Sadar) constituency after results from all 185 polling centres were announced.

Mirza Fakhrul secured 2,36,308 votes, defeating his nearest rival, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Delwar Hossain, who polled 1,38,936 votes.

Following the announcement, the senior BNP leader addressed supporters at his residence in the Kalibari area of Thakurgaon on Thursday night.

“We are ahead. Inshallah, we will win the majority of seats and form the government,” he said.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman on Thursday said the party would accept the election outcome if the current voting trend continues.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s Dhaka-15 election office around 7 pm, Shafiqur said early results were beginning to emerge but cautioned against drawing premature conclusions.

“The preliminary results of the election have begun to appear. It is too early to draw conclusions, but we have faith in the people. Early indications are emerging, but nothing can be guaranteed. The country’s interest is our priority. In most areas, the preliminary results show us leading. We will have to wait a little longer,” he said.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Early results from Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections show the BNP alliance taking the lead, though different media dashboards reflect varying counts.

According to Prothom Alo’s unofficial results tracker, the BNP and its allies have won 7 seats so far out of 299 constituencies, with no other party securing a seat at that stage of counting.

Meanwhile, BDNews24 reports that results for 27 seats have been declared, with BNP winning 21 seats, Jamaat-e-Islami 4, and Independent and other candidates securing one seat each.

Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Shishir Manir has admitted defeat in the Sunamganj-2 (Dirai-Shalla) constituency in the 13th Parliament elections.

At around 8:20 pm local time on Thursday, Manir posted on his verified Facebook account congratulating his rival, BNP candidate Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, on his victory.

“Congratulations to Mr. Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, the BNP candidate, for winning in my constituency. Heartfelt congratulations to you,” Manir wrote.

Bangladesh Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son, has won the Bogra-6 constituency, according to the party’s Facebook page.

Bangladeshi writer and activist Taslima Nasreen says democracy will cease to exist if Jamaat comes to power.

As the voting ended, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “India stands for free, fair and credible elections in Bangladesh. Lets wait for results.”

The Bangladesh Election Commission reported a 32.88 percent voter turnout by noon today at 32,789 polling centres, covering roughly 77 percent of the total polling stations, reflecting moderate participation midway through the day.

In Bangladesh, voters’ left thumb is marked with indelible blue ink after voting to prevent fraud, unlike India which inks the finger.

Exiled novelist Taslima Nasreen shared her views on Bangladesh’s election, voicing strong opposition to Jamaat-e-Islami and religion-based politics.

In a post on X, she said if the BNP wins, Jamaat could become the main opposition for the first time because the Awami League has been banned. Nasreen said she hoped the elected government would unban the Awami League so that opposition comes from secular or left-leaning parties, not religious ones. She opposed both dynasty politics and clerical influence, saying Bangladesh needs new secular leadership committed to women’s rights, human rights, universal education, universal healthcare, and free speech.

Three people, including two Ansar members and a child, were injured in a crude bomb explosion at a polling centre in Gopalganj on Thursday morning. The blast took place around 9:00 am at the Reshma School polling centre in the Nichupara area, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Sarwar Hossain told The Daily Star.

Also, another crude bomb explosion followed by a chase and counter-chase took place at Makhati Gurucharan High School in Munshiganj Sadar around 10:00 am, confirmed OC Md Mominul Islam.

The injured were identified as Ansar members Sukanto Majumdar and Jamal Molla, and 13-year-old Amena Khanum, daughter of Ashraf Ali Mishu from Arambag in the town.

Bangladesh Television reporter Miraj Uddin was seriously injured in an attack by BNP leaders and activists while covering news in Noakhali-6 constituency.

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus said Thursday’s election, the first since the deadly 2024 uprising, marked the end of a “nightmare” and the beginning of a new chapter for the country. Speaking after casting his vote in Dhaka, the 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner described the day as one of freedom and renewal for the nation.

Yunus, who will step down once a new government is formed, said the vote symbolised hope after months of turmoil and uncertainty. “This is a day of freedom,” he said as quoted by AFP. “Through this, we have ended the nightmare and begun a new dream,” he told reporters.

According to Bangladesh’s Daily Star report, independent Dhaka-9 candidate Tasnim Jara alleged that her polling agents were obstructed at several voting centres on polling day. She claimed many were denied entry or forced out on what she described as “baseless and fabricated” grounds, questioning the conduct of voting.

Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, cast his vote for the 13th Parliamentary elections, at a polling centre in Dhaka.

BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said ensuring the safety and security of women would be a key priority if his party wins the election. Speaking to reporters outside a polling station in Gulshan, Dhaka, he referred to incidents of violence reported the previous night and said law enforcement agencies had acted to bring the situation under control.

Rahman urged voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that public participation would defeat any conspiracy. He stressed that restoring law and order across the country would be central to the BNP’s plans. “We will ensure everyone feels safe in Bangladesh,” he said, adding, “We cannot leave women behind. Our priority will be to ensure the safety and security of women.”

After casting his vote, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman called the election a “turning point” for Bangladesh. The election comes 18 months after Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended following student-led protests in July 2024 and the formation of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.