The BNP appears to be in a strong position in the upcoming general elections, with its candidates leading in over 175 constituencies. This contrasts with the Jamaat-e-Islami, which is leading in only 30.
Election officials and news reports indicate that the BNP's early lead is significant.
Voting concluded at 4:30 pm, with an initial estimate of 48% voter turnout.
Unofficial results show that BNP Chairman Khaleda Zia's son, Tarique Rahman, won in Dhaka-17 and Bogra-6.
Shafiqur Rahman, the BNP president, is leading in the capital, while Jamaat's secretary general, Mia Golam Porwar, lost in the Khulna constituency.
The elections are being held alongside a referendum on constitutional reforms.
The counting of votes began shortly after 4:30 pm.
The BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami are the two main contenders in these elections. The absence of Sheikh Hasina's now disbanded Awami League has intensified the competition.
The Jamaat, which is part of an 11-party alliance, has described the voting as "excellent" and expressed confidence in a "landslide victory," despite reports of isolated incidents of violence and irregularities.
Mahdi Amin, a spokesperson for the BNP's election steering committee, stated that the party's victory is "inevitable and clear."
Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reported a voter turnout of around 48% nationwide.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus thanked the people for participating in the elections and the referendum.
He called on political parties and candidates to uphold democratic principles and remain united.
Yunus stated that the elections and the referendum represent a "historic opportunity" to build a more accountable and just state.
Yunus described the elections and the referendum as a historic opportunity.
Top leaders of both the BNP and the Jamaat had expressed concerns about manipulation and demanded that the results be fair and impartial.
Tarique Rahman, the BNP's prime ministerial candidate, stated that his party would regain power after over 15 years, but demanded timely release of the results.
He emphasized that the election must be fair, peaceful, and impartial.
Shafiqur Rahman, the head of the Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed his desire for a fair process and acceptance of the outcome if it were free and impartial.
He also alleged attempts to cast fake votes and attacks on polling agents.
Both the BNP and the Jamaat have asked their party workers to stay at polling stations until the results are announced.
The Election Commission deployed over a million security personnel, the largest-ever in the country's electoral history.
Nearly 900,000 law enforcement personnel were deployed to prevent violence and maintain order.
Drones and body-worn cameras were used for the first time in election security.
Approximately 127 million voters were registered to cast their ballots, including five million first-time voters.
The election involved 1,755 candidates from 50 political parties and 273 independents.
The BNP fielded the highest number of 291 candidates.
The elections are taking place without a female leader in the spotlight.
Hasina's party called the elections "a well-planned farce" and demanded "free, fair and inclusive elections under a neutral caretaker government."
Analysts said many Awami League activists preferred to vote "because of ground-level realities," particularly to evade persecution.
The referendum seeks to rewrite the 1972 Constitution.
At least four people died after falling ill at or near polling stations in four districts during voting hours.
A 13-year-old girl was injured in an alleged hand bomb attack at a polling station in Gopalganj.
A series of hand bomb explosions disrupted voting in Munshiganj-3 constituency.
A BNP leader died during an altercation with Jamaat activists in Khulna.
55,454 observers from 81 local organizations monitored the elections.
A clash between Jamaat and BNP activists sparked allegations of ballot stuffing in Sylhet.
A Jamaat leader was arrested in Dhaka for buying votes.
Three people were arrested in Joypurhat for distributing ballot paper photocopies.
