United News of Bangladesh

Calling the election outcome a victory for democracy and Bangladesh, BNP Central Election Steering Committee Spokesperson Mahdi Amin on Friday said the results reflect the aspirations of the country’s people. “This is not just a victory for BNP. It is a victory for democracy. It is a victory for Bangladesh,” he said while talking to reporters in front of the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office. Mahdi said they are very confident the democratic transition through the election will ensure a free land again where every citizen’s rights and freedoms will be protected. “BNP is the largest and most popular political party in Bangladesh. The emotions, hopes and feelings of the people are closely connected with this party.” Vote-buying proves Jamaat’s political bankruptcy, code violation: Mahdi Amin Mahdi also said BNP is a party of the masses that believes in empowering the grassroots and upholds Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and nationalism. “The extraordinary love and support people have shown towards this party have been reflected in this election, where we have witnessed an irresistible, overwhelming and decisive victory.”  The BNP leader said their party firmly believes that the strong public confidence and support received by BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman will be translated into responsible leadership. “We believe the trust, and love that people have shown to our leader, Tarique Rahman—as a prime minister on the future, will ensure the rights and freedoms of every citizen and restore people’s ownership (of the country),” he said. Mahdi also said the next BNP-led government will work to establish a transparent, accountable and people-friendly administration. He said the new government will stand on what he termed a long democratic struggle marked by sacrifices, including enforced disappearances, killings and cases against party activists. “So, Insha’Allah, our leader will fulfill the expectations of the mothers of the martyrs. In the coming Bangladesh, he will change the fate of every person and solve their problems. We believe our leader will ensure the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy remain intact,” Mahdi observed. He also hoped that the future BNP government will work to establish an accountable, transparent and pro-people administration. Replying to a question, Mahdi said the election has marked the completion of a long-awaited democratic transition through free, fair and credible polls. He also expressed gratitude to global leaders who sent congratulatory messages following the election results. “This is a gracious gesture. Our leader will respond to them in due course.” Mahdi Amin said their party remains committed to ensuring inclusive development, protection of human rights, the rule of law and freedom of expression as part of its broader vision for the country’s future. According to the unofficial results of Thursday’s 13th parliamentary election, BNP won 209 out of 299 seats. Jamaat-e-Islami, which emerged as a significant force following the July uprising, secured 68 seats. The Election Commission is expected to publish the official results after completing all formal procedures. BNP to take action against rebel candidates: Mahdi Amin

BNP is confident of forming the next government with more than a two-thirds majority in the 13th national election, its Central Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Thursday night. “Alhamdulillah, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman has already been unofficially declared elected from two constituencies — Bogura-6 and Dhaka-17,” he told a press conference at the BNP Election Steering Committee office in Gulshan. Mahdi Amin alleged that since Wednesday night their political opponents had engaged in various irregularities, including vote rigging and unlawful occupation of polling centres. Despite this, he said, candidates contesting under the party’s electoral symbol, the ‘Sheaf of Paddy’, were leading by substantial margins in a large number of constituencies, with several already unofficially declared elected. “BNP, strengthened by the love and support of the people, will form the government by winning more than two-thirds of the seats, InshaAllah,” he said, adding that the party’s confidence was based on vote counts and detailed constituency-level data received so far. He alleged that incidents of irregularities, fraud and violence occurred in different parts of the country on polling day. He alleged that there were attempts at ‘election engineering’ in certain constituencies to favour specific candidates. Citing examples, he claimed, in Dhaka city, the counting of votes and announcement of results had been deliberately delayed in several constituencies, including Dhaka-8, Dhaka-11, Dhaka-13 and Dhaka-16. The BNP spokesperson also alleged that a particular political party had engaged in propaganda and violated the election code of conduct in an attempt to reduce the victory margins of BNP candidates, potentially affecting voter participation in some areas. Mahdi Amin congratulated voters across the country for casting their ballots and supporting their preferred candidates. Voting in Bangladesh’s national election concluded on Thursday in a largely peaceful atmosphere, with high hopes of restoring genuine democracy and securing a strong mandate for national reforms. Tarique Rahman wins both Dhaka-17, Bogura-6 seats The polling in Bangladesh began at 7:30am and continued until 4:30pm without interruption at 42,659 polling stations in 299 out of 300 constituencies, amid the deployment of nearly one million security personnel and another one million polling staff. Alongside the parliamentary election, voters also participated in a referendum to express their views through ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes on proposals for several constitutional amendments.

BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is set to begin the second phase of his election campaign from Chattogram on Sunday, completing electioneering in Sylhet. “Our leader Tarique Rahman is travelling to Chattogram today as part of his election campaign. He will depart Dhaka at 7:35pm by air and spend the night in Chattogram,” said Mahdi Amin, spokesperson of BNP’s election steering committee. He made the remarks at a press briefing at the BNP Chairman’s Gulshan office on Saturday morning. Mahdi said Tarique will join a ‘Youth Policy Talk’ at a hotel in the port city with around 300 university students at 9:30am on Sunday. At the event, the BNP chief will outline his party’s policy proposals on education, employment, agriculture, health, women’s empowerment and the environment, among other issues, Mahdi added. BNP to ensure safety of Hindu community if elected: Mirza Fakhrul Later in the afternoon, Tarique will address a mass rally at the Chattogram Polo Ground. Following the Chattogram programmes, he will address campaign rallies at Feni Pilot School ground, Chauddagram High School ground in Cumilla, Sonagazi Digbazi Field, Daudkandi Central Eidgah ground, and Kanchpur Balur Math in Narayanganj. Tarique launched the first phase of his election campaign on January 22 from Sylhet’s Alia Madrasah ground and spoke at seven rallies in Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi and Narayanganj the same day.

BNP will take an overall position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the upcoming referendum, which will be held alongside the 13th national parliamentary election on February 12. “When our parliamentary election candidates visited Dhaka, we told them that BNP will take a position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum during the election campaign,” party Election Steering Committee spokesperson Mahdi Amin said on Wednesday. Speaking at a press briefing at BNP’s election office in Gulshan area, he also said the party has already informed all its members that, overall, BNP will take a position in favour of ‘Yes’ in the referendum. During the July Charter formulation process at the National Consensus Commission, Mahdi said BNP had a clear position and also recorded some notes of dissent, which the party still holds. He said the party has long worked to ensure accountability and transparency in governance and has pursued fundamental reforms through its 31-point reform outline. “For these reasons, we will stand for ‘Yes’ in the referendum,” Mahdi, who is also an adviser to the BNP Chairman, said. He explained that BNP believes notes of dissent and different opinions are natural in a democracy and will be discussed in Parliament.