Responding to a question on India–Bangladesh ties, Rahman said, “We have cleared ourselves regarding the foreign policy, which is the interest of Bangladesh, and the interest of Bangladeshi people comes first. By protecting the interests of Bangladesh and the people of Bangladesh, we will decide our foreign policy.

Rahman identified restoring the economy, improving law and order, and ensuring good governance as the main challenges before the incoming government, as the BNP prepares to return to power after nearly two decades.

Who won how many seats? 

The Bangladesh’s Election Commission has published a gazette of newly elected members of Parliament from the 13th general election, paving the way for their swearing-in, media reports said Saturday. The gazette was published for 297 out of the 300 parliamentary constituencies late Friday, state-run BSS news agency reported. The notification was signed by Akhtar Ahmed, secretary of the Election Commission Secretariat.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secured a commanding victory, winning 209 out of 297 declared seats, paving the way for its return to power after nearly two decades. The right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami, widely seen as ideologically aligned with Pakistan, won 68 seats. The Awami League, led by ousted premier Sheikh Hasina, was barred from contesting the polls.

Voter turnout stood at 59.44 per cent.

Tarique Rahman set to be Bangladesh PM: Rahman, who formally assumed charge as BNP chairman on January 9 after the death of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to become Prime Minister for the first time. According to unofficial counts cited by The Daily Star, he won from Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6, strengthening his political legitimacy ahead of the oath-taking ceremony once results are formally notified. He is the son of former President Ziaur Rahman, making this a pivotal moment for the Zia political legacy.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Chairperson Tarique Rahman waves as he comes out after casting his vote during the national parliamentary elections in Dhaka. (AP file)

PM Modi first global leader to speak with Rahman: On the diplomatic front, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first global leader to speak with Rahman over the phone and congratulate him on the victory. The BNP expressed willingness to work with India for mutual development, even as it renewed its call for the return of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was last year sentenced to death by Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal in connection with the 2024 student protests that led to her ouster.

As Bangladesh awaits formal confirmation from the Election Commission, the scale of the mandate signals more than just a change of government; it marks a potential inflexion point for governance, India-Bangladesh relations, and the country’s post-unrest political reset.

Our special coverage from Bangladesh. Watch here:

This live blog is being continuously updated by our Global Desk. Keep following it for all the latest updates from Bangladesh