Congratulations to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on their remarkable victory in the national parliamentary election. This significant victory has paved the way for the BNP to form a government with a majority in the national parliament for the first time since 2006.

While this strong triumph is the result of a long political struggle, particularly in the fight against the previous fascist regime that was overthrown on August 5, 2024, it is essential for the BNP to reflect on their past experiences -- both the positive and the negative -- from their time in power during the three previous terms since 1991.

I have written several articles on the same issue, namely, how the brutal majority destroys the beauty of democracy and how a political party like the Awami League became a tyrannical political party.

Thus, it is essential for BNP to set priorities and strategies to overcome these challenges by incorporating unique, constructive ideas from experts -- both within the country and offshore.

Winning an election may have seemed straightforward for the BNP, which gained power with backing from various stakeholders, including supporters of the former prime minister and party chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, as well as the late president Ziaur Rahman.

Now that the election is behind us, the real challenges begin. As the new prime minister of Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman needs to honour his commitments to the citizens and ensure they are kept.

It is also worth noting that five years is a short tenure for any government. If the BNP and its leaders fail to understand public sentiment, they may find it increasingly difficult to regain the trust and confidence voters have placed in them.

It is important to keep in mind that one of the key reasons behind the collapse of the previous Awami League government was its turn toward fascism. This was largely the result of consolidating power through a series of contentious national elections in 2014, 2018, and, ultimately, 2024.

The key takeaway is that the former prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, openly disregarded public opinion and media coverage of her government and her political party's corruption, mismanagement, and other unethical practices. As a result, frustration mounted among various marginalized groups in the country, particularly among the youth, ultimately leading to her violent removal from power.

The troubling trends of the former Hasina government have seriously eroded the country’s democratic process -- a fact the BNP should not forget.

The following are just some of the tasks the BNP must do if it wishes to retain public trust:

• Enhance transparency and accountability across institutions, including the judiciary, civil administration, and local government bodies and organizations.
• Expedite local government elections in consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure comprehensive participation.
• Empower the election commission to conduct all elections in the country, implementing strategies that guarantee fairness and impartiality.
• Prioritize attracting foreign direct investment to boost the economy and create job opportunities.
• Significantly reduce corruption within the administration, fostering a trustworthy governance environment.
• Strengthen the anti-corruption agency/body through legal and constitutional amendments, enabling it to operate independently. Additionally, establish a separate commission to oversee their performance, ensuring that all anti-corruption strategies are coordinated among all stakeholders.
• Put an end to extortion within your own political party. The public is weary of these practices.
• Revitalize the nation’s educational and health systems to promote overall societal development.
• Improve working conditions for the RMG sector and other informal economic sectors in Bangladesh.
• Modernize the agriculture sector, as it remains the backbone of the nation’s economy.
• Engage with countries that employ Bangladeshi workers to facilitate legal, fair migration. The government should implement policies to enhance the skills of migrant workers heading to the Gulf, Malaysia, and Singapore, while also seeking new migration opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in European countries.
• Restrict MPs from importing luxury items from abroad and promote a more equitable system.
• Avoid providing plots to politicians. Bangladesh is densely populated, and land should not be allocated for free unless truly necessary.
• Regulate the banking sector to ensure smooth operations and support policies that encourage investment to create jobs through manufacturing and service hubs.
• Place educated and experienced individuals in key positions within organizations and ministries. Avoid appointing people without relevant backgrounds or the capacity to engage with diverse stakeholders. Additionally, avoid those with a history of corruption, as such a history can lead to further corruption.
• Most importantly, 'Yes' won the referendum. 'Yes' got more than twice as many votes as 'No'. The 'Yes' victory in the referendum paved the way for the implementation of the state's fundamental reform proposals, which the BNP and other political parties must implement.

Lessons from the past can guide BNP in advancing meaningful change. This will also help the BNP make a positive impact in Bangladesh, a long-sought goal.

Dr ASM Anam Ullah (PhD) is an Australian academic, human rights activist, political analyst, and OHS and industrial relations expert.