Bangladesh goes into votes in landmark national election, referendum
Voting in the 13th Parliamentary Election began across Bangladesh this morning to determine the country's next new government and decide on a national referendum, widely seen as pivotal for the country’s democratic future.
Polling opened at 7:30am and will continue without break until 4:30pm at 42,779 centres nationwide.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The Election Commission (EC) said 12.77 crore voters -- 6.48 crore men and 6.28 crore women -- are eligible to cast their ballots.
The election is being held 18 months after a student-led mass uprising toppled Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government, raising expectations that the vote could signal a departure from past practices and a return to accountable democratic norms.
Alongside choosing their representatives, voters are also participating in a national referendum on the July National Charter, which outlines proposed constitutional and institutional reforms. The outcome is expected to shape governance in the years ahead, adding historic weight to the day’s proceedings.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation on Tuesday night, urged citizens to make election day the “birthday of a new Bangladesh”, saying voters themselves would write the history of the country’s future.
A total of 1,755 candidates from 50 registered political parties are contesting 299 out of 300 parliamentary seats, including 63 women. There are also 273 independent candidates, including 20 women. Election in the Sherpur-3 constituency has been suspended following the death of a candidate.
Campaigning formally ended yesterday morning after 20 days of intense political activity, narrowing months of anticipation to a single, decisive day for millions of voters.
Massive security deployment
Nearly one million members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed nationwide to maintain law and order before, during and after polling.
According to EC data, 970,948 security personnel are engaged in election duty. The contingent includes 100,003 Army personnel, 5,000 Navy members, 3,730 Air Force members, 37,453 Border Guard Bangladesh personnel, 3,585 Coast Guard members, 187,603 police, 9,349 Rapid Action Battalion members, 576,483 Ansar and VDP members, 1,922 BNCC cadets, and 45,820 chowkidar and dafadar.
In addition, 1,051 executive magistrates are in the field until February 14 to oversee law and order and electoral compliance. Members of the armed forces have been placed under the “in aid to civil power” provision to assist civil administration.
Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam earlier said police have rolled out a three-tier security plan, with static forces at every polling centre, mobile patrol teams outside, and striking units on standby.
He said 1,57,805 police personnel are engaged in election security, including 93,391 as static forces at centres, with the rest deployed in mobile and striking units. An additional 29,798 police members are providing election-related support, bringing total police deployment to 1,87,603.
Ballot papers and materials were dispatched to polling centres under tight security, while thousands of polling officials and security personnel have been mobilised to oversee voting and counting.
International observers and political contests
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) has described the electoral environment as “very positive”.
“We have been speaking both to candidates and authorities in all districts and regions across the country, and the general atmosphere is very positive and hopeful,” EU Chief Observer Ivars Ijabs said in Dhaka.
The EU has sent its largest-ever mission to Bangladesh, with more than 200 observers, including around 60 long-term and 90 short-term observers deployed to monitor polling and counting.
Today’s polls are largely being contested by candidates backed by two major coalitions led by the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman yesterday reviewed constituency-wise preparations with party leaders and candidates.
Awami League has been barred from the election for its role in the brutal crackdown that claimed at least 1,400 lives.
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