By Our Correspondent

DHAKA - Bangladesh Nationalist Party on Friday claimed a resounding parliamentary majority in the first general election since the 2024 popular uprising ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but its main rival, Jamaat-e-Islami, immediately raised allegations of manipulation and threatened street protests.

More than 24 hours after polling closed, election authorities have yet to release official results for the 300-seat of parliament.

Unofficial tallies from local broadcasters give the BNP and its allies a commanding lead -- projected to win more than 200 seats, well above the 151 required for a simple majority.

But the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, which unofficial counts show trailing with approximately 70 seats, issued a sharply worded warning Friday expressing "serious questions about the integrity of the results process".

Speaking to reporters early Friday at the Election Commission premises, Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Ahsanul Mahboob Zubair made clear his party would not accept what it views as a manipulated outcome.

"The nation still carries the trauma of the 2014, 2018 and 2024 elections," Zubair said. "Those who conducted those elections—where are they now?" He cautioned that Jamaat would "not expect the current Election Commission to face a similar fate" if it fails to protect the popular mandate.

"If there is any attempt to manipulate the people's mandate and voting rights through conspiracies, Jamaat will announce programmes and, if necessary, go for a hard movement," Zubair said.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told reporters Friday that his party had secured a two-thirds majority. In a statement posted on Facebook, the party said it was "elected in a large number of seats" but urged supporters to refrain from victory rallies, instead directing them to offer prayers .

The restraint appeared calculated. Tarique Rahman, the BNP's prime ministerial candidate and son of late former premier Khaleda Zia, spent more than 17 years in self-imposed exile until returning to Bangladesh in December. Party leaders are mindful that premature celebrations could provoke tension in an already volatile political environment.

The election marked Bangladesh's first national vote without either Hasina or Zia -- the two women who dominated the country's politics for four decades -- on the ballot.

Hasina's Awami League was barred from contesting by the interim government of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, which took power after the autocratic leader fled to India in August 2024 amid deadly student protests.

Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity.

Voter turnout stood at 59.88%, the Election Commission said -- significantly higher than the 41.8% recorded in January 2024 elections that were boycotted by the BNP-Jamaat opposition.

Thursday's polling was conducted simultaneously with a referendum on constitutional reforms, which unofficial results suggest passed with approximately 73% support.

At least nine deaths were reported in election-related violence, though authorities described polling day as largely peaceful.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari also extended congratulations, with Zardari hailing the "landslide victory" . Malaysia added its greetings as well.

Jamaat-e-Islami, for its part, showed no inclination to concede. Zubair emphasized Friday that his party "respects any opinion expressed by people in a dignified manner," but drew a firm red line.

"If anyone conspires or plots using the people's opinions, we will not accept it," he said. "Various conspiracies surrounding elections have taken place in the past, which the people did not accept."

Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman struck a more measured tone in his first comments since the projections emerged, telling party members to remain "vigilant and steadfast" without explicitly rejecting the outcome.

The Election Commission has indicated it will release certified results for all 299 constituencies where voting took place -- elections in Sherpur-3 were postponed due to a candidate's death.

A further 50 seats reserved for women will be allocated based on party strength in parliament.