Bangladesh votes amid tight security as polling begins in landmark election

DHAKA: Polling has begun across Bangladesh in a landmark general election widely seen as the country’s most consequential vote in more than a decade, coming after a deadly 2024 uprising that ended the 15-year rule of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

11:20: ‘Big day for democracy’

The head of the European Union’s election observation mission described Thursday’s vote as a milestone for Bangladesh’s democracy, as EU observers fanned out across the country to monitor polling and counting.

“This is really a big day for Bangladesh’s democracy,” said Ivars Ijabs, chief observer of the EU Election Observation Mission, speaking to reporters after observing the opening of voting in Dhaka.

He said the EU hopes to see a “participatory, credible and trusted” election at what he called a historic moment for the country.

Ijabs said the EU has deployed around 200 observers nationwide, including 90 short-term observers covering all 64 districts, who will monitor polling, counting and the tabulation of results. 

Their findings, he added, would form a key part of the mission’s impartial assessment of the election.

10:25: Muhammad Yunus casts vote

Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus cast his vote at a polling station in Gulshan locality of capital Dhaka at around 10:25am local time. The security was on high alert around the area.

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus said Thursday’s election marked a turning point for the country, describing it as the end of a “nightmare” and the beginning of a new chapter after last year’s deadly uprising.

“This is a day of freedom,” he said after casting his vote in Dhaka. “Through this, we have ended the nightmare and begun a new dream.”

9:55: NCP candidate urges citizens to vote for democracy

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) and candidate for the Jamaat-led alliance in Dhaka-11, cast his ballot early Thursday morning at A K M Rahmatullah University College in Badda.

Speaking to reporters afterward, Nahid said he had voted smoothly for the first time and called on all citizens to head to polling stations. “I encourage everyone to exercise their right to vote and help restore democracy in our country,” he said.

09:15: Chittagong votes

BNP candidate for Lakshmipur-3, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee, expressed satisfaction with the morning’s voting environment after casting his ballot.

“The long-awaited hopes of the people are finally being realized. Citizens have struggled for this election for a long time. So far, the atmosphere has been very positive. If it continues like this and voters can participate in a festive spirit, I am confident of my victory,” he told reporters at the Lamchari Government Primary School polling center.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Dr Rezaul Karim Choupalli voted at the Kalidas High School polling station, describing the voting environment as “good” and expressing optimism about his own chances.

9:00: Have come to vote after 19 years: voter

Speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Voter Riazul Hasan said the environment was really nice for voting, stating that everyone could vote all day; they should not rush.  

“It is not difficult,” Hasan said.

“I have come here to vote after 19 years, have not given a vote as of yet; this will be the first time,” he said, adding that he had tried to vote in 2008 but Sheikh Hasina's people kicked him out of the station. 

“I am very happy. I am very happy to give my vote from here today. All the people are happy,” he said.

8:36: 'Now is the time for something positive'

A student at Dhaka City College, who lined up early to vote to avoid the crowds during the poll, told AFP that it was his first vote, hoping for something positive.

"This was my first vote, and I hope after everything we went through the last few years, now is the time for something positive," 21-year-old Shithi Goswami said.

50-year-old Nur Alam Shamim — who was first to vote at the New Model Degree College in Dhaka-10 constituency — said he last voted in 1991 and was casting his vote for the country after "many years."

8:31: Pakistan sends election day greetings

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari extended his best wishes to the people of Bangladesh as voting got underway, expressing hope for a peaceful process that strengthens democracy and stability.

“I extend my best wishes to the people of Bangladesh as they exercise their democratic right,” Zardari said. 

“I hope the election will be conducted peacefully and contribute to democratic stability.”

7:30: Bangladesh votes amid tight security 

Voting opened at 7:30 local time on Thursday in 299 of the country’s 300 constituencies, with one seat postponed following the death of a candidate. Polls will remain open until 16:30, with hand counting to begin shortly after closing.

The election is being held amid unusually tight security. In the capital, Dhaka, vehicle movement has been sharply restricted, shops and businesses remain closed under a public holiday, and only emergency services are operating.

Security personnel from the army, police, and paramilitary forces have been deployed nationwide, maintaining checkpoints and patrols since midnight.

Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of around 170 million people and one of the world’s fastest-growing economies in recent decades, is voting for the first time since mass protests last year overthrew Sheikh Hasina’s government. The student-led uprising, triggered initially by opposition to the public sector quota system, quickly grew into a nationwide movement against authoritarian rule, ending Hasina’s tenure in August 2024.

An interim administration led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus has overseen the transition and barred Hasina’s Awami League from contesting the polls. Hasina, now in India, was later sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity related to the crackdown on protesters. A verdict that her supporters and rights groups have criticized.

More than 51 political parties and over 2,000 candidates are contesting the election, which will decide 300 directly elected parliamentary seats, alongside a referendum on a proposed democratic reform charter aimed at preventing a return to one-party dominance.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, is widely seen as a frontrunner and says it expects to form the next government if voting is free and fair. Rahman, who returned from years in exile late last year, has framed the election as a chance to restore stability and revive an economy battered by political unrest.

Challenging the BNP is the Jamaat–e–Islami–led 11-party alliance, which was sidelined for years under Hasina’s rule and is now seeking its strongest showing in decades.

Jamaat leader Shafiqur Rahman has cast the vote as an opportunity to rebuild governance on principles of justice and accountability, while allied groups, including the National Citizen Party formed by former student leaders, say young voters could play a decisive role.

Opinion polls have offered mixed projections, with some suggesting a BNP lead and others pointing to a tightly contested race.

In addition to parliamentary voting, citizens are also casting ballots in a nationwide referendum on the July National Charter, a reform package proposed by the interim government that includes term limits for prime ministers, changes to parliamentary structure, and stronger judicial oversight.

More than 300,000 security personnel have been deployed to oversee the process, with polling centres monitored by CCTV, drones, and body-worn cameras, according to the Election Commission. Authorities have urged all parties and voters to refrain from violence, warning that any attempts to disrupt the process will be dealt with firmly.

“The significance of this day is far-reaching,” Yunus said ahead of the vote. “It will determine the future direction of the country, the character of its democracy, and the fate of the next generation.”

This live blog will track developments throughout the day, from early turnout and security updates to party reactions and any incidents reported on the ground, as Bangladesh navigates a pivotal moment in its political history.