Unofficial results for 296 out of 299 seats in the 13th National Parliamentary Election have been announced. According to the declared results, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its alliance candidates have secured 212 seats, clearing the path for a BNP-led government.

Party sources indicate that BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will lead the new government, marking the first time in 35 years that a male Prime Minister will hold office in Bangladesh.

The results were announced by the respective returning officers following the vote count on Thursday night (February 12). Other highlights include:

The 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami secured 70 seats.

Other parties and independent candidates won 14 seats.

A Historic Shift in Leadership
Historical records show that the last male to serve as Prime Minister was Kazi Zafar Ahmed, who held the office until 1990. Since 1991, the country’s leadership has been characterized by female heads of government.

For over three decades, the position was held almost exclusively by former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.

The Road Ahead
With the majority secured, the focus now shifts to the official formation of the cabinet. As Tarique Rahman prepares to take the oath of office, this transition marks a significant turning point in the nation's political landscape.