Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election and referendum are being held in a festive atmosphere, with voting taking place uninterrupted from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 polling centers in 299 constituencies. The event has drawn significant attention from international media outlets, which have described it as a major political milestone for the country.

Qatar-based Al Jazeera reported that voting began under tight security and noted that this is the first election since the fall of Sheikh Hasina. The BBC described it as the first election after the Gen-Z protests that led to Hasina’s downfall, calling it highly significant for Bangladesh. Reuters termed the election “historic,” while India’s NDTV and Times of India emphasized its importance for national democracy. NDTV also cited local observers predicting a BNP victory and strong performance by Jamaat. Pakistan’s Geo TV referred to the vote as a historic event following the 2024 uprising.

The widespread international coverage underscores global interest in Bangladesh’s political transition and the outcome of this landmark election.