Dhaka, Feb. 13 -- The BNP has swept Gopalganj, winning all three parliamentary constituencies in Sheikh Hasina's home district.

The results mark a dramatic shift in a region long regarded as an Awami League fortress.

Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Md Arif-uz-Zaman announced the final results at 2:30am on Friday following the completion of the tally.

In Gopalganj-1, covering Muksudpur and part of Kashiani, BNP candidate Selimuzzaman Molla has clinched 68,867 votes for the "paddy sheaf" symbol, defeating Gono Odhikar Parishad nominee Md Kabir Mia, who garnered 53,961 votes.

The seat was held for six consecutive terms since June 1996 by retired lieutenant colonel Faruk Khan, former commerce and industry secretary of the Awami ...