Dhaka, February 13 (QNA) - The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a majority in the parliamentary elections, paving the way for its leader, Tarique Rahman, to form the next government as the country works to recover from an economic slowdown.

Bangladesh's Election Commission announced that the BNP and its allies won at least 212 of the 299 contested seats, while the opposition Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies secured 77 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament).

Salim Reza, an economics professor at the University of Dhaka, said the BNP's strong majority would enable it to pass reforms efficiently and avoid legislative gridlock, contributing to near-term political stability.

Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman, is expected to face immediate challenges, including restoring political stability, rebuilding investor confidence, and revitalizing key industries such as the garment sector following prolonged unrest after the collapse of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in 2024. (QNA)