BNP hails landslide election win as ‘victory for democracy’

The party believes that the trust, support and love that people have placed in its leader Tarique Rahman will be honoured

The BNP has hailed its “absolute majority” in the unofficial results of the Feb 12 election as a victory for democracy.

Mahadi Amin, spokesperson of the party’s central election management committee, made the remarks on Friday in reaction to the Election Commission’s announcement of the unofficial results.

“The BNP is the largest and most popular party in Bangladesh. The emotions, aspirations and sentiments of the people are intertwined with the BNP. It is a party of the people, a party rooted in grassroots power,” he said.

“The extraordinary love that people have for this political party, which upholds Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and nationalism, has been reflected in this election where we have seen an uncontested and absolute victory. Today’s victory is not just for the BNP; it is a victory for democracy and for Bangladesh.”

Mahadi said the party believes that the trust, support and love the people have placed in its leader Tarique Rahman will be honoured. “In Sha Allah, as a future prime minister, he will ensure the rights and freedoms of every citizen of Bangladesh.”

“He will also safeguard state ownership, and the next BNP government will meet public aspirations by ensuring an accountable, transparent and people-friendly government, In Sha Allah.”

He said the upcoming government would honour the sacrifices of many martyrs after a long democratic struggle marked by enforced disappearances, killings, lawsuits and human rights violations.

“Our leader, In Sha Allah, will fulfil the expectations of the mothers of the martyrs,” he said

“This future Bangladesh will change the fate of every citizen, resolve problems and uphold the country’s independence, sovereignty and democracy. We believe our leader will ensure this.”

According to the unofficial results of Thursday’s election, the BNP won 209 of the 299 declared seats. Jamaat-e-Islami, a religion-based party which emerged with renewed vigour following the July Uprising, secured 68 seats.

The Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Party (BJP), the Ganosanhati Andolon and Gono Odhikar Parishad won one seat each.

In the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, the National Citizen Party (NCP) won six seats, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish secured two, while Khelafat Majlish won one.

Islami Andolon Bangladesh won one seat.

Independent candidates have been elected in several constituencies.