Bangladesh Opposition Claims Election Victory

Bangladesh Nationalist Party Claims Victory in First Election Since Student Uprising

DHAKA, Bangladesh – The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, claimed victory Friday in the first elections held since the previous government was toppled in a student-led revolution in 2024, according to NPR News. Polling indicated the BNP was set to win an outright majority of around 185 seats in the 300-member legislature in Thursday's general election, as reported by Time. Rahman, who returned to Bangladesh on Christmas Day after 17 years in exile, looks set to become the South Asian nation's new Prime Minister.

Final results were yet to be announced, with the Election Commission expected to do so shortly, according to NPR News. Rahman had laid out his plans for rebooting South Asia's second-biggest economy and healing social divisions in an interview with Time in early January. When asked about his first priorities, Rahman replied, "ensuring rule of law." He added that his second priority was "to bring back financial discipline" and the third was "to try to unify the country."

The election was a significant event, being the first since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, as noted by Time. Rahman was seen casting his vote in Dhaka on Thursday, according to a photo from NPR News.

In other news, the film industry is also making headlines. Black Mandala Films and Red Owl Films are preparing for Berlin's European Film Market with eight genre titles, including Lovecraftian horror and queer mockumentary, as reported by Variety. Additionally, Variety reported that director İlker Çatak, whose film "Yellow Letters" is at the Berlinale, commented on political repression of artists, stating, "You Have It in the U.S. Too. Look at What Happened to Jimmy Kimmel!"