Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12 : Voting for Bangladesh's 13th Parliamentary Election and Constitutional Referendum has concluded, with the election authorities commencing the vote counting process shortly after polling hours ended, as reported by the Daily Star. The election, held across 299 constituencies, saw official voting take place between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm local time. However, individuals already present at polling stations before voting ended were allowed to cast their ballots.
According to Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed of the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC), voter turnout stood at 47.91 percent across 36,031 polling stations by 2:00 pm local time. However, a total of 42,651 polling centers were set up for the election.
The elections, taking place at a pivotal moment in the nation's history, follow the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime in July 2024, which resulted from a student-led movement known as the "July Uprising." The movement ended Hasina's tenure, with the Bangladesh Awami League being barred from participating in this election.
The main contenders in the election are the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamic conservative Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which has formed an alliance with the National Citizen Party (NCP) in the wake of the uprising. These parties, along with others, have entered into seat-sharing agreements. In total, 2,034 candidates are vying for parliamentary seats, representing 51 different political parties, including the BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, Jatiya Party (JP-Quader), Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad), Left Democratic Alliance, and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party).
Earlier today, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College polling station in Dhaka. He described the election as a day of national joy and renewal.
"This is a day of great joy. Today is the birthday of a new Bangladesh. We will celebrate this birthday throughout the day," Yunus said after casting his ballot. "Through today's process, people have rejected the past. Whatever nightmarish past existed, we have completely set it aside. From today, at every step, we have gained the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh."
BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who voted at the Gulshan Model High School and College in Gulshan-2, expressed optimism about his party's prospects. "We have waited for this day to exercise our right to vote," Rahman said, adding that if the BNP forms the government, improving law and order will be a top priority to ensure public safety.
In addition to the parliamentary elections, Bangladesh also held a referendum on the National Charter 2025. This document, drafted by the interim government, is intended to guide future governance in the country
