The Awami League president, who is currently staying in the US, sent the greetings on Tuesday morning.

Awami League-backed nominees unofficially swept all four city corporations and eight of the nine municipalities in the elections held Monday.

"People's enthusiasm for voting amid the state of emergency has proved that they want a democratic government through a fair, transparent and acceptable election," Sheikh Hasina said. She asked the government and Election Commission to take account of people's feelings to this end.

Sheikh Hasina also demanded the release of all party leaders and activists, including second-time elected Sylhet mayor Badaruddin Kamran.

On the winning candidates and party supporters, she said: "The victory has been achieved through your hard work and overall cooperation."

Mentioning a number of untoward occurrences in some polling areas, including Barisal, Sheikh Hasina asked the EC and concerned authorities to be careful of such incidents in future.  "People expect that the government and the EC will be more sincere in establishing their constitutional rights," she said.