The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently emerged victorious in parliamentary elections, the first since the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Hasina Wazed following widespread protests in 2024 that resulted in significant loss of life. The BNP is reported to have secured at least 100 out of 300 parliamentary seats, positioning them within reach of an absolute majority with additional seats needed to govern independently.

As vote counting continues, the early results suggest a strong performance by the BNP, with expectations that they will soon obtain a majority. If this occurs, the party leader, Tarique Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh from 17 years of exile in the UK just last December, is likely to become the next Prime Minister of Bangladesh, a country with a population of around 170 million. His return and the party's success have been met with congratulations from leaders of neighboring countries like India and Pakistan, as well as from the United States, indicating international interest in the political shift.

The 2024 elections follow significant upheaval marked by student protests ignited by a Supreme Court decision reinstating affirmative action quotas in public services. The social and political landscape of Bangladesh is set for potential changes as the BNP gains power, suggesting a shift away from the prior government's policies and a focus on addressing public grievances that sparked widespread dissent among the populace in recent years.