Bangladesh Votes Amid Historic Political Shake-Up

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh held its first national election since the deadly 2024 uprising, as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and an Islamist-led coalition compete for power in a historic political contest.

Queues formed outside polling stations in Dhaka as voters, including millions of young first-timers, turned out amid fears of conspiracies and threats. “This was my first vote,” said 21-year-old student Shithi Goswami. “I hope for something positive after the last few years.”

Over 300,000 police and soldiers were deployed across the country to ensure security. UN experts had warned of growing intolerance, threats, attacks, and disinformation targeting voters.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman, 60, who hopes to restore his party to power, urged citizens to vote confidently. He faces a strong challenge from Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist party campaigning on justice and anti-corruption, which could form the country’s first Islamist-led government if successful.

Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin reported that voting was proceeding smoothly but warned of a surge of misinformation, including AI-generated content, particularly from abroad.

Interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, 85, said the vote would shape Bangladesh’s democracy and the future of the next generation. Yunus has implemented reforms to prevent a return to one-party rule and barred former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from contesting. Hasina, sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity, remains in hiding in India.

In addition to electing 300 lawmakers directly and 50 women via party lists, voters are deciding a referendum on prime-ministerial term limits, a new upper house, stronger presidential powers, and greater judicial independence.

Rahman said his priority, if elected, would be restoring security and stability, but acknowledged the country faces significant economic challenges. Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest garment exporter, also has delicate ties with neighboring India.

Hand counting of votes will begin after polls close at 4:30 pm local time, with results expected to trickle in over the following hours.