Chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Tarique Rahman, said that his party is set to secure a "historic victory" in the country's parliamentary election, local media reported Friday.
In a separate statement, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi extended greetings and congratulations to the people of the country, hailing the party's victory in securing a majority of seats in the election.
Preliminary vote-counting results from constituencies across the country show that the BNP has secured more than half of the seats in the national parliament election held on Thursday, according to local media reports.
Nearly 128 million Bangladeshis cast their votes in Thursday's elections.
Voters said what they value most is the right of ordinary people to have an equal voice and a stable economic environment.
"As a businessman, I want to be able to invest the money and return the money in the most sacred place. So [it's important] to make sure the government keeps this country's [business] environment very safe and sound, so that foreign investors are going to be more encouraged to invest in our country," said voter Asif Ur-Rahman.
"I hope we will have our basic rights, especially the right to speak freely. I don't want to be scared to say what my opinion is in front of anyone," said Raushan Tasleem, another voter.
First-time voters like Rawnak were the earliest to arrive at the polling station to cast their vote.
"I am just hoping that all our human rights are equally protected, whether it is a male, a female, or a person of any religion, be it Muslim or Hindu," said Rawnak.
Alongside voting for a new government, Bangladeshis also voted for a charter of reforms to state institutions.
BNP chairman says his party set for "historic victory" in Bangladesh's parliament election
