Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman has led his party to a landslide victory in the national election, marking his first direct participation in politics after returning from 17 years of self-imposed exile in London. The election comes just over two years after Sheikh Hasina’s controversial win, which was widely criticized for alleged vote-rigging. Rahman’s rise follows the death of his mother, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who led the BNP for four decades.

BNP leaders have pledged to restore democracy and rebuild institutions weakened over the past decade. Political scientist Nabeen Murshid noted that Rahman’s lack of prior governing experience may work in his favor as citizens seek change. The political shift follows the 2024 “July Uprising,” when young protesters helped oust Hasina. Interim leader Dr. Muhammad Yunus’s tenure has since seen unrest, leaving the new government to stabilize law and order, revive the economy, and create jobs.

Sociologist Samina Luthfa observed that most parties lack governing experience and criticized the low representation of women, with only about 4% female candidates. She urged swift action to ensure competent women fill reserved parliamentary seats.