Democrats Ahead in Early US Midterm Results, With 98 House Wins in the Count So Far

The closely watched US midterm elections were held on Tuesday, November 3. The vote will determine the balance of power in Congress and the political situation for the final two years of President Donald Trump's term.

The presidency does not change directly in these elections, but the result plays a highly influential role in lawmaking and in implementing the administration's policies. Results began coming in on Wednesday, November 4, and the early results point to the Democratic Party moving ahead.

Even the world's most powerful president does not hold all power alone in the United States. The legislature, Congress, plays an important role in running the state, making laws, approving budgets, military spending and ensuring the administration's accountability.

All 435 seats in the lower chamber were contested in this midterm election. According to the latest election results, as of 8:55 a.m. Bangladesh time, the Democratic Party had won 98 seats and the Republican Party had won 52 seats.

A majority in the House of Representatives requires 218 seats.

In the upper chamber, 35 of the 100 seats were contested. The Senate currently has a Republican majority of 53 to 47 for Trump's party. According to the midterm results so far, the Democratic Party has won 45 seats and the Republican Party 36 seats. A Senate majority requires 51 seats.

The US president serves a four-year term. Members of the House of Representatives serve only two years, while members of the Senate are elected for six years.

At present, the ruling Republican Party controls the White House as well as both chambers of Congress. The opposition Democrats may try, in this election, to regain control of Congress and establish a new legal and political check on Trump's power.

If Republicans lose their majority in Congress, President Trump will face opposition obstacles in passing new laws, approving budgets, tariff policy and implementing various international steps.

This election is taking place at a time when the cost of living in the United States has risen, the country is involved in a war, and Trump's time as president is running down. The result will therefore shape lawmaking and the government's political position over the next two years.