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The landmark Bangladesh election held final week was ⁠triggered by a Gen Z-led rebellion in 2024, but a youth-led Nationwide Citizen Occasion (NCP) – born out of the rebellion – managed to safe solely six parliamentary seats out of the 297, the outcomes of which can be found.

The outcomes, formally declared on Saturday, confirmed that voters overwhelmingly selected the long-established Bangladesh Nationalist Occasion (BNP), which comfortably defeated a Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance, of which the NCP is a key associate.

Tarique Rahman of the BNP, which has already ruled the nation thrice, most lately from 2001 to 2006, is about to change into prime minister following some of the consequential elections within the nation’s historical past.

Many younger Bangladeshis who voted for the primary time described the election as historic, however falling in need of their expectations.

“As Era Z, we didn’t get the anticipated illustration and outcomes after shedding a lot blood and dropping lives,” pupil Afsana Hossain Himi informed Al Jazeera.

“Nonetheless, we’re very hopeful. We’ve got representatives from the youthful era, and we hope they may do one thing good,” she mentioned, referring to the six NCP winners.

Many younger Bangladeshis felt the NCP didn’t construct up a large enough assist base in time for ‌the vote.

“They didn’t stay as much as the hopes and desires individuals had after the 2024 rebellion,” 23-year-old college pupil Sohanur Rahman mentioned. “The NCP’s alignment with Jamaat felt like a betrayal, and plenty of younger voters like us selected to not assist them.”

NCP spokesperson Asif Mahmud mentioned the ⁠occasion would rebuild itself in opposition and give attention to native authorities elections due in a 12 months.

‘A brand new starting’

The South Asian nation of 173 million individuals has one of many world’s youngest populations, with roughly 44 p.c of its vote financial institution – 56 million – between the ages of 18 and 37.

The election consequence is extensively seen as an opportunity to revive stability after months of upheaval that adopted the 2024 rebellion, which toppled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Safety forces on the time, appearing on her orders, killed greater than 1,400 individuals, in accordance with the United Nations. Hasina has since been handed a demise sentence in absentia for the crackdown.

Hasina, presently dwelling in exile in New Delhi, and Rahman’s mom, Khaleda Zia, have for many years towered over the nation’s political panorama. Rahman’s father, Ziaur Rahman, a key determine in Bangladesh’s independence wrestle, additionally led the nation from 1977 till his assassination in 1981.

Rahman, who’s prone to be sworn in on Tuesday, has pledged that his administration will prioritise the rule of regulation.

“Our place is obvious. Peace and order should be maintained at any value. No wrongdoing or illegal exercise might be tolerated,” he mentioned at a information convention on Saturday. “No matter occasion, faith, race, or differing opinions, certainly not will assaults by the sturdy towards the weak be accepted. Justice might be our guideline.”

Shakil Ahmed, a authorities and politics professor at Jahangirnagar College, mentioned ⁠the Jamaat-NCP alliance pushed away younger voters who had wished a brand new political class after the autumn of Hasina.

“Many noticed it as a retreat into outdated politics fairly than a break from it,” Ahmed mentioned. “This resolution divided the youth vote and strengthened assist for the BNP beneath Tarique Rahman, which appeared extra organised and able to governing.”

Nonetheless, for pupil Farhan Ullash, the vote felt like a long-awaited break with the previous.

“In spite of everything, the election was a type of dream for us, a brand new starting for Bangladesh,” he mentioned. “I do know already BNP goes to make the federal government. I hope they may hearken to us.”