Polls close, counting begins in Bangladesh election after high turnout

DHAKA - Counting began in Bangladesh’s pivotal national election on Feb 12 after tens of millions of people voted for a new government following the 2024 ouster of long-time prime minister Sheikh Hasina in a tumultuous Gen Z-driven uprising.

Although final figures were not immediately available, Mr Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission, told reporters that nearly half the electorate had voted at 36,031 of the 42,651 polling centres by 2pm local time, with 2½ hours to go.

That is more than the entire 42 per cent turnout at the last election in 2024.

Analysts say a decisive result is crucial for steady governance in the nation of 175 million, as the deadly anti-Hasina protests triggered months of unrest and disrupted key industries, including the garments sector, the world’s second-largest exporter.

It is the world’s first election after a revolution led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to be followed by Nepal in March.

Counting began at 4.30pm at most booths, immediately after polls closed with early trends expected around midnight and results likely to be clear by the morning of Feb 13, Election Commission officials said.

The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP.

Both prime ministerial candidates – the BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman – said they were confident of winning. The two men are not related.

“I am confident of winning the election. There is enthusiasm among the people about the vote,” Mr Tarique Rahman told reporters, while Jamaat’s Mr Shafiqur Rahman called the election a “turning point” for Bangladesh and said the people were eager for change.

Hasina’s Awami League is banned, and she remains in self-imposed exile in long-term ally India, opening the window for China to expand its influence in Bangladesh as Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi deteriorate.

Elections were held during Hasina’s tenure but they were marred by opposition boycotts and intimidation, critics have said.

Alongside the election, a referendum was held on a set of constitutional reforms, including establishing a neutral interim government for election periods, restructuring Parliament into a bicameral legislature, increasing women’s representation, strengthening judicial independence and imposing a two-term limit on the prime minister.

More than 2,000 candidates, including many independents, are vying for 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation.

Voting in one constituency has been postponed due to the death of a candidate. At least 50 parties are contesting in total, a national record.

Long lines of voters, heavy scrutiny

There were no reports of major violence, but a BNP leader died in a scuffle outside a polling booth in the coastal town of Khulna and two paramilitary personnel and a 13-year-old girl were injured when a homemade bomb exploded outside a polling booth in Hasina’s stronghold of Gopalganj.

Around 958,000 personnel from the police, army and paramilitary forces were deployed throughout the country on election day, the Election Commission said. Police and army personnel were stationed outside most polling booths.

“I am feeling excited because we are voting in a free manner after 17 years,” Mr Mohammed Jobair Hossain, 39, said as he waited in line. “Our votes will matter and have meaning.”

Mr Hossain’s sentiment was echoed by many voters, who told Reuters that the atmosphere felt more free and festive than earlier elections.

Mr Kamal Chowdhury, 31, who works as a driver for a company in Dhaka and travelled to his hometown in the eastern district of Brahmanbaria to cast his vote, said: “It feels festive here.

“People are so enthusiastic to cast their vote – it’s almost like Eid,” he added, referring to Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim religious festival.

Outside a polling booth in Dhaka where BNP chief Tarique Rahman and head of the interim government Muhammad Yunus voted, policemen were on horses with saddle blankets proclaiming: “Police are here, vote without fear.”

“From today, we have the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh with every step we take. This is a festival, a day of joy, a day of liberation, the end of our nightmare. I congratulate you all,” Dr Yunus, who took over as interim head after Hasina, said after voting.

“The crucial test for Bangladesh now will be to ensure the election is conducted fairly and impartially, and for all parties to then accept the result,” said Mr Thomas Kean, a senior consultant with the International Crisis Group.

“If that happens, it will be the strongest evidence yet that Bangladesh has indeed embarked on a period of democratic renewal.”

Early start, late finish

Polling closes at 4.30pm

Counting will begin soon after, with early trends expected around midnight and results likely to be clear by the morning of Feb 13, Election Commission officials said.

Nearly 128 million people are registered to vote, 49 per cent of them women. But only 83 female candidates are contesting.

On the morning of Feb 12, on the fringes of Dhaka city, outside a primary school converted into a temporary voting booth, a long line of burqa-clad women waited to vote.

Ms Ruma Khatun, a 32-year-old homemaker, showed a henna design of the “daripalla” or weighing scales, the symbol associated with the Jamaat-e-Islami party, on her hand.

“I want Dr Shafiqur Rahman to become prime minister and lead our country. He is the only one who can establish Allah’s law, and lead to a non-corrupt and developed Bangladesh,” she said.

Several voters are conflicted about participating in the election.

Some, like rickshaw puller Chan Mia, say they cannot afford to travel to their villages to vote and lose their daily income in Dhaka.

Others, such as gatekeeper Mohammad Sabuj, feel disillusioned because Hasina’s party is barred.

But some are determined to cast their ballots.

“During Hasina’s time, we couldn’t cast our votes,” said Mr Shakil Ahmed, a driver. “It’s my right to vote. This time, I won’t miss it.” REUTERS