Polling begins for Bangladesh general elections 2026 after Gen Z revolution

2026-02-12 - 04:06

DHAKA – Polling has begun for 13th general elections in Bangladesh, the first polls after the country witnessed Gen Z-led revolution that toppled the government of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. DHAKA – Polling has begun for the 13th General Elections in Bangladesh, marking the first polls since the Gen Z-led revolution that ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. The polls started at 7:30 am with significant number of people thronging to the polling stations in Dhaka. The polling will conclude at 4:30 pm. The major contest is between Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat‐e‐Islami-led 11 parties coalition in the elections as there is a ban on candidates of the Awami League. Nearly 127 million eligible voters will use their right to vote. The two prime ministerial candidates are the BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman. The general elections comes as the world’s eighth populace nations is facing various main issues including corruption, inflation, employment and economic development. In addition to the parliamentary elections, Bangladesh is also conducting a referendum on the National Charter 2025. This document, created by the interim government under Muhammad Yunus, outlines the framework for the nation’s future governance. While over 2,000 candidates are vying for positions in today’s election, only 109 of them are women, as reported by the Daily Star. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah said more than 90 percent of the country’s 42,779 polling stations are being monitored through CCTV coverage. He said the devices will record the proceedings and support law enforcement in the high-sensitive areas. Nearly 958,000 security personnel have been deployed across the country to avoid any untoward situation. . The United Nations has called for safe, inclusive and meaningful participation of women in elections. “The UN also calls on all stakeholders to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to intimidation, harassment, & violence against women throughout the electoral process,” read the official statement.