The centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has secured a landslide majority in parliament, 18 months after mass protests ousted the country's longest-serving prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
The party took more than two-thirds of seats in the historic general election, with Jamaat, the country's main Islamist party, coming second. Hasina's Awami League was banned from taking part.
BNP leader Tarique Rahman is set to be the next prime minister and faces huge challenges in getting the economy back on its feet and restoring democracy after 15 years of authoritarian rule under Hasina.
Voters also backed sweeping democratic reforms in a referendum held alongside the election.
I am grateful for the love you have shown me, Tarique Rahman told well-wishers in Dhaka as he attended Friday prayers. His party has said there would be no victory procession.
He was elected to parliament for the first time as one of 212 successful BNP candidates. The Election Commission put voter turnout at 59.44%.
It is a remarkable turn of events for a man who has spent 17 years in self-imposed exile in London. He took over as head of his party after his mother, former PM Khaleda Zia, died in December.
During his campaign, Rahman promised that democracy would be restored.
Reviving the country's economy, addressing rising food prices, and creating jobs for Bangladesh's vast young population are pivotal challenges for the new government.
Repairing strained ties with giant neighbor India is also high on the priority list.
Within hours of his win, Rahman received a call from India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulating him on a remarkable victory. Modi affirmed India's commitment to the peace, progress, and prosperity of both nations.
Although the BNP promises to lead change, the party faced criticism for corruption and violations of human rights during its last tenure in government.
Thursday's democratic exercise represents a moment of significant potential and risk for Bangladesh, as the party's large victory raises questions about the future of governance in the nation.
Among the constitutional reforms being considered are prime ministerial term limits, a directly elected upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers, and increased judicial independence.
Moreover, greater representation of women in parliament is part of proposed changes. Judging by the low number of successful female candidates, this remains a considerable challenge.
Tarique Rahman will face immense scrutiny to deliver to an electorate eager for change, especially among youth who participated in the protests that catalyzed Hasina's ousting.
