Voters across Bangladesh turned out on Thursday for parliamentary elections seen as a defining moment for the country’s democracy following months of political turmoil and violence. Polling stations in Dhaka and nationwide filled steadily through the morning, with results expected on Friday. More than 127 million citizens are eligible to vote in the first national election since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government collapsed in 2024 after mass youth-led protests. Hasina fled to India and was sentenced to death in absentia for ordering a deadly crackdown, while her party has been barred from participating.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Tarique Rahman, recently returned from 17 years of exile, is considered a leading contender to form the next government. He faces an 11-party coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami, which has regained prominence since Hasina’s ouster. The interim administration under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has pledged a fair and transparent vote, monitored by about 500 international observers and journalists.

The election outcome could reshape Bangladesh’s political landscape, with five million first-time voters expected to play a decisive role in determining the country’s post-Hasina direction.

Interim government Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the nation for the peaceful, orderly, and festive completion of the 13th National Parliamentary Election and the referendum on the July National Charter. Following the voting, he praised voters for their spontaneous participation, political parties for their responsible conduct, candidates for their restraint, and all election-related institutions for their professionalism.

Yunus extended special thanks to the Election Commission, law enforcement agencies, armed forces, administration, observer teams, media personnel, and all officials involved in the voting process, crediting their dedication for the success of the democratic exercise. He urged political parties and candidates to maintain democratic decency, tolerance, and mutual respect even after the final results are announced, emphasizing unity in national interest despite differences of opinion.

He stated that the election demonstrated that the people are the source of all power and marked the beginning of a new journey for Bangladesh toward an accountable, inclusive, and just state. Yunus described the election as the most peaceful and festive in the country’s history and called for continued collective efforts to strengthen democracy.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul announced that the official gazette of the election results will be published by February 14. He stated that arrangements will be made for the swearing-in of the newly elected members of parliament as soon as the gazette notification is issued. Following that, the new government will take oath.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote at Siddheswari Girls College center in Dhaka on Thursday, February 12, Asif Nazrul said the new government is expected to be formed between February 17 and 18. He emphasized that the transfer of power to the elected government will take place before the start of Ramadan.

The announcement outlines a clear timeline for the completion of post-election formalities and the formation of the next government within a few days after the publication of the results gazette.

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has urged his party members and supporters not to leave polling centers until the complete results of the 2026 national election and referendum are officially announced. He made this call on Thursday through a post on his verified Facebook account, addressing party activists across the country.

According to the report, voting in the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum 2026 concluded peacefully across Bangladesh, with only a few isolated incidents reported. The nationwide voting began at 7:30 a.m. and continued uninterrupted until 4:30 p.m. Despite the generally festive atmosphere, four deaths were reported in separate incidents, and some political parties raised complaints regarding the election process.

This election marks the first national vote since the fall of the Awami League government following the July uprising, held with the aim of establishing a new elected government after one and a half years of interim rule.

Mirza Fakhrul stated that the ongoing election in Bangladesh has become unexpectedly joyful and festive. He said that many people did not anticipate such a celebratory atmosphere during voting. After visiting more than a hundred polling centers throughout the day, he observed the enthusiasm and excitement among voters and expressed optimism for a fair election and positive results.

He added that this beautiful election is the result of a 15-year-long struggle. According to him, through this election, the people of Bangladesh will finally have an elected government. His remarks highlighted both the emotional and political significance of the event, emphasizing the public’s participation and hope for democratic outcomes.

The Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh has not yet received voter turnout data from 6,620 out of 42,651 polling centers across the country. As of 2 p.m. on February 12, 2026, data from 36,031 centers showed an average turnout of 47.91 percent. Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed of the EC Secretariat shared the figures during a briefing held at the commission’s headquarters at around 4:15 p.m.

Akhtar Ahmed explained that the statistics were based on information collected between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and that data from the remaining centers were still being gathered. Responding to claims by Jamaat-e-Islami that voting had been halted in over a hundred centers across three constituencies, he said any allegations would be verified and, if proven, appropriate legal action would be taken by the respective returning officers. He cautioned that premature comments could mislead the public.

The EC official added that no major problems had been reported so far and that voter turnout, initially low at midday, was increasing in the afternoon. Updated figures on the overall voting progress will be released later, according to EC sources.

Bangladesh’s much-anticipated 13th National Parliamentary Election and a concurrent national referendum concluded peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with vote counting now underway. Polling took place from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 centers in 299 constituencies, while voting in Sherpur-3 was postponed due to a candidate’s death. The election marks the country’s first major participatory vote in 15 years, with citizens choosing their leaders for the next five years and deciding on constitutional reforms through the referendum.

A total of 51 out of 59 registered political parties participated, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami as the main contenders. The Awami League was barred from contesting. The Election Commission deployed 100,000 military personnel and 900,000 law enforcement officers to ensure order. Voter enthusiasm was high, with nearly 40 million young voters casting ballots, many for the first time. Digital campaigning through Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok defined this election’s outreach.

The simultaneous referendum on the “July Charter” constitutional reform was conducted using separate pink ballots. The results are expected to shape Bangladesh’s democratic transition and governance structure in the coming years.

On February 12, 2026, voters across Bangladesh expressed excitement and relief as they cast ballots in what many described as a historic and peaceful election day. From early morning, long lines formed at polling centers such as Halim Foundation School in Dhaka-15, where citizens reported a calm atmosphere free from fear or intimidation. Many voters said they had not been able to vote freely in previous elections and viewed this day as a return of their democratic rights.

The report recalls that after the fall of military ruler Ershad in 1991, Bangladesh began its democratic journey, but under Sheikh Hasina’s 16-year rule, citizens’ voting rights were allegedly suppressed. A student-led uprising in July 2024 ended that period, costing 1,400 lives and paving the way for what some call the nation’s “second independence.” Voters interviewed described the current election as a moment of regained freedom and unity, with supporters of rival parties seen chatting amicably outside polling centers.

Participants emphasized the importance of maintaining this peaceful environment, expressing hope that the spirit of free and fair voting would continue in future elections.

An eleven-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami has demanded that the Election Commission suspend voting in several centers of Comilla-8, Shariatpur-2, and Patuakhali-1 constituencies, citing disorder during the 13th National Parliamentary Election and referendum. The delegation made the demand on Thursday afternoon during a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner A M M Nasir Uddin at the Election Building in Agargaon. Voting began at 7:30 a.m. on the same day.

According to the Emergency Coordination Cell of the Ministry of Home Affairs, by 2:00 p.m. incidents of disorder had occurred in 486 centers across the country. Reports confirmed 59 cases of fake voting and three incidents of ballot box snatching. The alliance alleged that the irregularities in the three constituencies disrupted the electoral process and warranted immediate suspension of voting in the affected centers.

The Election Commission has not yet announced any decision regarding the alliance’s demand, and further updates are awaited.

Vote counting is underway in Bangladesh following the country’s first national election since student-led protests ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024. More than 2,000 candidates contested parliamentary seats, but none represented Hasina’s now-banned Awami League. The election featured a contest between the centre-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a coalition led by the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, which allied with a party formed from the student uprising. Results are expected on Friday.

Alongside the parliamentary vote, citizens participated in a referendum on constitutional reforms proposed by the interim government, which described the existing political system as completely broken. Nearly one million police and soldiers were deployed nationwide to ensure security during the polls.

Interim leader Muhammad Yunus, who cast his vote in Dhaka, said the country had ended a nightmare and begun a new dream. BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat’s Shafiqur Rahman also voted in the capital, marking a symbolic moment in Bangladesh’s post-uprising political transition.

Bangladesh’s long-awaited 13th National Parliamentary Election and a national referendum concluded on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with voting held from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. across 42,958 polling centers in 299 constituencies. Except for a few isolated incidents, the process was largely peaceful. Vote counting was set to begin shortly after polls closed. The Sherpur-3 constituency’s election was postponed due to the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. The election is expected to establish a new elected government, marking what officials described as a key step in the country’s democratic transition.

A total of 51 out of 59 registered political parties participated, with the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami emerging as the main contenders. The Awami League was barred from participation due to a government ban. The day also featured a referendum on constitutional reforms, where voters cast separate ballots for parliamentary and referendum votes. The Election Commission deployed 100,000 army personnel and 900,000 law enforcement officers to maintain order.

Authorities reported a festive mood nationwide, with many citizens traveling home to vote. Nearly 40 million young voters participated, and digital campaigning through social media platforms marked a new phase in Bangladesh’s electoral process.

An attempted attack was made on AB Party chairman Mujibur Rahman Manju, the Eagle symbol candidate of the Jamaat-led 11-party alliance, during voting in the Feni-2 constituency. The incident occurred on Thursday at Sheikh Mujibul Haque High School center in Lemua Union, Feni Sadar Upazila. According to reports, a group of BNP activists led by Abdul Hannan and Shahid confronted Manju with abusive remarks and tried to assault him. Supporters of the Eagle symbol shielded Manju, and army personnel later brought the situation under control. One Eagle supporter named Talha was reportedly beaten during the clash.

In a separate incident near the Joar Kachar center in Dholmupur Union, Manju’s chief election agent, ANM Abdur Rahim, was attacked and injured, and his car was vandalized by BNP supporters allegedly led by local cadre Jamai Kamrul. Additional clashes were reported in several unions, including Elahiganj, Ghagra, and Farhadnagar, where multiple Eagle supporters and a local Jamaat leader were injured. Feni District Returning Officer Monira Haque said mobile teams were dispatched to all reported locations and confirmed that voting continued without disruption. She added that a regular case would be filed over the attack on Manju’s agent and vehicle damage.

Voting for Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliamentary Election continued peacefully in Tongi, Gazipur, on Thursday. Polling began at 7:30 a.m. and by 1 p.m., around 30 percent of votes had been cast across several centers, according to presiding officers. Long queues of voters were observed at multiple institutions, including Khapara Bidyaniketan, Blossom International School and College, and Tongi Pilot School and Girls College.

Presiding Officer Md. Ziaul Haque of Haji Kachimuddin Public School reported that voting was proceeding smoothly, with about 30 percent turnout by early afternoon. Mohammad Ali, presiding officer at Mamdi Molla High School Center-1, said approximately 28 percent of votes had been cast by 1 p.m., expecting total turnout to reach 50 percent by day’s end. Tongi West Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shaheen Khan confirmed that no untoward incidents had been reported up to 3 p.m., and law and order remained normal.

The calm voting process in Tongi reflected a generally peaceful atmosphere, with officials anticipating steady participation through the remainder of the day.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman expressed concern over reports of fake voting, expulsion of polling agents, center takeovers, and harassment of women during the ongoing election process. In a Facebook post published at 3:51 p.m. on Thursday, he called on citizens to remain vigilant and act as protectors of their votes until the results are announced. He also urged law enforcement agencies to take swift action to maintain order and ensure fair polling.

Rahman praised voters for resisting attempts to seize polling centers and for participating enthusiastically in the election. However, he warned that efforts to manipulate the process were still ongoing in several areas. He appealed to the public to continue safeguarding their votes and to cooperate with law enforcement to prevent any further irregularities.

The Jamaat leader further requested the administration and security forces to intensify their efforts to curb any conspiracies involving ballot snatching or center occupation, emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the people's mandate.

By 2 PM on Thursday, 47.91 percent of votes had been cast across 36,031 polling centers in Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election, according to Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed. He announced the figures during a briefing at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. Ahmed said some allegations of violence and irregularities had been received and were being investigated, with action to follow if proven.

Earlier, by noon, 32.88 percent of votes had been recorded at 32,789 centers. The election involves 12.77 crore registered voters, including 6.29 crore women, 6.48 crore men, and 1,232 transgender voters. Voting is taking place in 299 constituencies, as polling in Sherpur-3 was postponed due to a candidate’s death. A total of 2,028 candidates are contesting, representing 50 political parties and independent groups.

Over 900,000 law enforcement personnel and 1,051 executive magistrates have been deployed nationwide to ensure security. The Election Commission is also using around 1,000 drones for monitoring. Voting will continue until 4:30 PM.