Bangladesh voted on Thursday in its first national election since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League (AL) 15-year rule, with millions queuing under heavy security in what is widely viewed as a defining moment in the country’s fragile democratic transition.
Polling began at 7:30 a.m. across 42,651 centres in 299 parliamentary constituencies and continued until 4:30 p.m., alongside a nationwide referendum on proposed constitutional reforms. By noon, the Election Commission (EC) reported turnout of 32.88 percent from 32,789 centres.
The vote unfolded amid intense political rivalry, heightened security deployment and competing narratives from major parties. While authorities described the process as largely orderly, scattered violence and allegations of irregularities underscored lingering mistrust in the political system.
Election Commission projects calm amid massive security deployment
At a midday briefing at the EC headquarters in Dhaka’s Agargaon, Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said polling had started simultaneously across all centres and had not been suspended anywhere.
“Some isolated incidents have occurred in a few areas, but the local administration has taken immediate action. There is no alarming law-and-order situation,” he said, adding that voters were participating peacefully.
The commission emphasised that the election was being conducted under one of the largest security operations in the country’s history, involving police, paramilitary forces, the army and border guards. Additional patrols were dispatched to sensitive areas as a precaution.
Authorities maintained that the heavy deployment was intended to reassure voters and prevent disruptions, particularly in constituencies with a history of electoral tension.
Army Chief urges confidence as scattered incidents reported
Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, after casting his vote in Dhaka, called on citizens to vote without fear. He described the day as “important and joyful” and said the overall situation remained calm nationwide.
Security forces maintained a visible presence at polling centres across the country, and rapid-response teams were mobilised wherever clashes or unrest were reported.
Despite official assurances, several serious incidents emerged through the day. In Khulna, BNP leader Mohibuzzaman Kachi, 60, collapsed after an altercation at a polling station and later died. BNP alleged he had been pushed by Jamaat supporters, while Jamaat denied any assault. Police said the matter was under investigation.
Elsewhere, a 65-year-old voter in Satkhira reportedly died of a heart attack en route to cast his ballot, and a polling officer in Brahmanbaria collapsed on duty and was later declared dead. Violence was also reported in parts of Meherpur, Sherpur, Gopalganj and Keraniganj. In Sherpur, more than 100 allegedly pre-marked ballot papers bearing the BNP symbol were recovered, and two individuals were detained. In Gopalganj, crude explosives thrown near a polling centre injured two auxiliary security personnel and a child.
Election officials said voting continued after additional forces were deployed and situations were brought under control.
BNP and Jamaat exchange allegations in Awami League’s absence
With the Awami League’s registration suspended following the 2024 mass uprising, the contest has effectively narrowed to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and alliances led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, voting in Dhaka with his family, described the election as a restoration of voting rights after 17 years. “If people come out and vote today, any conspiracy can be defeated,” he said, while alleging “unwanted incidents” the previous night.
BNP leaders accused Jamaat supporters of intimidating voters, entering polling centres illegally and attacking activists. In Keraniganj and Khulna, the party demanded the arrest of Jamaat leaders over alleged violence.
Jamaat-e-Islami firmly rejected the accusations. Party chief Shafiqur Rahman said minor issues could be tolerated but that voter rights must not be compromised. He, in turn, accused BNP supporters of attacking Jamaat workers in constituencies including Bhola, Cumilla and Noakhali. Leaders of Jamaat’s 11-party alliance claimed their candidates were performing strongly nationwide and alleged obstruction of polling agents in several centres.
Independents voice complaints as youth participation surges
Independent candidates also raised concerns about procedural irregularities. Tasnim Zara, a prominent independent candidate in Dhaka, alleged that her polling agents were prevented from entering centres under what she termed “fabricated rules.”
“This is not acceptable. People are voting inside, but my agents are being pushed out,” she said.
Despite tensions, enthusiasm among first-time voters was evident in both urban and rural areas. Many young voters described the experience as smooth and encouraging, saying they were participating in a national election for the first time.
Nearly half of Bangladesh’s 128 million registered voters are between 18 and 37, making youth turnout a decisive factor in shaping the outcome.
Parliamentary vote coupled with Constitutional Referendum
Alongside electing a new parliament, voters were also casting “yes” or “no” ballots in a referendum on proposed constitutional reforms. The measures include restructuring parliament and redefining executive authority — changes linked to demands raised during the 2024 uprising.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has framed the twin exercises as the culmination of a year-long transition aimed at restoring democratic governance.
Polling stations closed at 4:30 p.m., with counting beginning immediately under the supervision of election officials, security personnel and international observers.
While steady turnout suggested broad public engagement, allegations of violence and irregularities highlighted the deep political divisions that persist. Whether the vote produces a stable and widely accepted outcome — or ushers in a new phase of contestation — will become clearer as results emerge.
