Dhaka, Feb 13 (NationPress) The US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T. Christensen, extended his congratulations on Friday to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on their significant electoral triumph.

He expressed optimism about future collaboration between the US and Bangladesh to fulfill shared objectives of security and prosperity.

“Kudos to the people of Bangladesh for a successful election, and to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Tarique Rahman for your remarkable victory. The United States anticipates engaging with you to achieve our collective aspirations for prosperity and security in both nations,” Christensen wrote on X.

The BNP and its coalition have reported a commanding victory in the 13th parliamentary elections, according to local media sources on Friday, based on unofficial counts.

Initial results indicate that the BNP-led coalition has secured 210 seats, paving the way for the establishment of a new government headed by the BNP.

As reported by the Bangladeshi Bengali daily, Jugantor, party insiders have confirmed that Tarique Rahman is poised to lead the government, which marks the return of a male Prime Minister in Bangladesh after nearly 35 years.

Following Thursday night's vote tally, unofficial results from multiple constituencies were released.

In the Dhaka-17 constituency, unofficial reports state that Tarique garnered 72,699 votes, triumphing over his nearest challenger, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate S.M. Khaliduzzaman, who received 68,300 votes, according to the Bangladeshi Bengali daily Prothom Alo.

Moreover, BNP Chairman Tarique was also unofficially elected from the Bogra-6 constituency, amassing 216,284 votes from 150 centers. His closest competitor, a Jamaat candidate, Abidur Rahman Sohel, obtained 97,626 votes using the party's scale symbol.

Earlier on Thursday, after casting his vote in the national elections, Tarique expressed his satisfaction, asserting his firm belief in his party's impending success, as reported by local media.

When questioned about his expectations concerning the election outcomes, the BNP leader remained resolute in his confidence in his party's capabilities, stating that he and his party were “100 percent hopeful” of winning.

Tarique, the son of former Bangladeshi President Gen. Ziaur Rahman, who seized power amid a series of coups and counter-coups, later established the BNP and took the presidency in 1977.

He is also the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who led Bangladesh during two separate tenures from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006.

In the wake of Khaleda Zia’s passing in December last year, Tarique has taken the helm of the BNP and is now set to guide the nation.