BNP heads for decisive victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary election

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Friday appeared headed for a decisive victory in the South Asian nation's general elections as counting progressed for the polls to elect a government that would replace the interim administration, which took charge after the collapse of the Awami League regime in August 2024.

Multiple media tallies showed the BNP had won more than 151 seats in the 300-seat parliament.

The Election Commission (EC) is yet to make a formal announcement.

An EC spokesperson said the results in several seats were still being processed and were likely to be announced in a few hours.

The election was seen as a direct contest between the BNP and its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, in the absence of ousted premier Sheikh Hasina's now disbanded Awami League.

The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government has been in place for 18 months.

The voting for the 13th parliamentary elections was held along with a referendum on the implementation of a complex 84-point reform packag