The Bangladesh Nationalist Party marked a resounding victory as votes were counted on Friday — securing 209 out of 297 seats and returning to power after two decades. The state Election Commission has since published a gazette of the newly elected MPs as well as the referendum results. The focus has now turned to the swearing-in ceremony as Bangladesh seeks to end a tumultuous period that began with the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.
BNP leader Tarique Rahman is set to become prime minister — replacing interim government chief Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in the next few weeks. According to the results announced by the poll body, the right-wing Jamaat-e-Islami (known to be close to Pakistan) was a distant second with 68 seats. The Awami League party led by Hasina was barred from contesting. The EC has postponed the announcement of results in two seats while polling was postponed for a third following the death of a candidate.
Benefits and salary details
The newly elected lawmakers will be entitled to a monthly salary and numerous state-funded benefits. Funds allotted to MPs are tax-free and include allowances, transport, healthcare, travel, insurance, office expenses and telecommunications.
According to the Members of Parliament (Remuneration and Allowances) Order, they will receive a monthly base salary of 55,000 taka. They get a daily allowance of Tk 750 while on duty (plus Tk 75 travel allowance) and a marginally higher allowance of Tk 800 while attending parliamentary or committee sessions. In such instances the travel allowance is raised to Tk 200 per day.
They will also get a constituency allowance worth Tk 12,500, an entertainment allowance of Tk 5,000 and a Tk 70,000 transport allowance. The latter includes fuel, vehicle maintenance, and the salary of the driver. They will also be given an office expense allowance of Tk15,000, laundry allowance of Tk1,500 and an additional Tk 6,000 for miscellaneous expenses.