DHAKA — Vote counting is underway in Bangladesh after tens of millions of citizens participated in the nation’s first national election since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in 2024, following a tumultuous uprising driven by the country’s Gen Z population.
Polling ran from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. local time, with nearly half of eligible voters casting ballots by 2 p.m., according to Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission. This turnout already exceeds the 42% participation recorded in the 2024 election.
Analysts say the outcome is critical for stable governance in the 175-million-strong country, where anti-Hasina protests last year led to months of unrest and severely disrupted key industries, including the garment sector, the world’s second-largest exporter.
Vote counting began immediately after polls closed, with early trends expected around midnight and official results likely by Friday morning.
The election pits two main coalitions against each other, led by former allies: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat‑e‑Islami. Opinion polls currently favor the BNP. Both prime ministerial candidates—BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman—expressed confidence in victory.
“I am confident of winning. There is enthusiasm among the people to vote,” Rahman said, while Shafiqur Rahman described the election as a “turning point” and noted that citizens are eager for change.
Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League remains banned, and she continues in self-imposed exile in India, creating opportunities for China to expand influence as Bangladesh’s relations with New Delhi deteriorate. Previous elections under Hasina faced boycotts and reports of voter intimidation.
Alongside the parliamentary vote, citizens also cast ballots in a referendum on constitutional reforms, including creating a neutral interim government for elections, restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature, increasing women’s representation, strengthening judicial independence, and imposing a two-term limit for the prime minister.
More than 2,000 candidates, including independents, are competing for 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, the national parliament. One constituency postponed voting due to a candidate’s death. At least 50 political parties are contesting, marking a national record.
Security and voter enthusiasm
While the day was largely peaceful, there were isolated incidents of violence. A BNP leader died in a scuffle outside a polling station in Khulna, and in Gopalganj, a homemade bomb injured two paramilitary personnel and a 13-year-old girl.
Nearly 958,000 police, army, and paramilitary personnel were deployed nationwide. Outside polling stations, voters expressed excitement at participating in what many described as the first free and festive election in 17 years.
“I am thrilled to vote freely after 17 years. Our votes will count and matter,” said Mohammed Jobair Hossain, 39, waiting in line. Many others echoed his sentiment, comparing the atmosphere to a festival, similar to Eid celebrations.
BNP chief Tarique Rahman and interim government head Muhammad Yunus cast their votes in Dhaka amid visible security measures, including mounted police outside polling booths. Yunus called the day “a festival, a day of joy, a day of liberation”, congratulating voters on their participation.
Experts say the key challenge for Bangladesh now is to ensure that the election is fair and impartial, and that all parties accept the outcome. Thomas Kean, senior consultant at the International Crisis Group, said: “If the process is respected and results are accepted, this will be the clearest signal yet that Bangladesh is entering a new era of democratic renewal.”