The Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Tarique Rahman is heading for a substantial win in the first elections held since a deadly 2024 uprising, Bangladeshi TV stations projected.
Senior BNP leader Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, in a party statement, claimed a "sweeping victory", without giving figures, calling for followers to give thanks in prayer rather than celebrate on the streets.
"There will be no victory rally despite the BNP's sweeping victory," the statement said. "We will hold special prayers at mosques after Jumma (Friday) prayers across the country."
Broadcasters projected that the BNP had pushed well past the 150-seat threshold to secure a clear majority in parliament.
Jamuna and Somoy television channels reported that the BNP had secured 197 seats.
The Islamist-led coalition headed by Jamaat-e-Islami had won 63 seats, the stations projected, a huge leap from its past results but far short of the outright win it had campaigned for.
The results are not official and counting continues for a total of the 299 constituencies of 300 in which voting took place.
A further 50 seats in parliament reserved for women will be named from party lists.
Peaceful polls
A BNP election committee spokesman told reporters the party was on track to win at least two-thirds of seats.
The Election Commission has not released final results.
Heavy deployments of security forces are posted countrywide, and UN experts warned ahead of the voting of "growing intolerance, threats and attacks" and a "tsunami of disinformation".
Political clashes killed five people and injured more than 600 during campaigning, police records show.
But polling day was largely peaceful, according to the Election Commission, which reported only "a few minor disruptions".
'Ended the nightmare'
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who will step down once the new government takes power, has urged all sides to stay calm.
"We may have differences of opinion, but we must remain united in the greater national interest," he said.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner has led Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina's rule ended with her ouster in August 2024.
His administration barred her Awami League party from contesting the polls.
Mr Yunus, after casting his vote, said that the country had "ended the nightmare and begun a new dream".
Sheikh Hasina sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, issued a statement from hiding in India, where she called the vote an "illegal and unconstitutional election".
Mr Yunus has championed a sweeping democratic reform charter to overhaul what he called a "completely broken" system of government and to prevent a return to one-party rule.
Voters also took part in a referendum on the charter and whether to endorse its proposals for prime ministerial term limits, a new upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers and greater judicial independence.
Television projections suggested the electorate had backed the charter.
