Voting for Bangladesh’s 13th general election concluded on Thursday at 4:30 pm local time, with the Election Commission reporting a voter turnout of 47.91% till 2 pm. Counting has now begun, while polling also included a national referendum to decide whether the proposed July Charter of reforms will be adopted. The day saw minor violence as five people were detained in connection with a crude bomb blast at a polling station in Munshiganj.
More than 127 million citizens were eligible to vote in the country of nearly 170 million people. Around 1,981 candidates contested parliamentary seats nationwide, though only 109 were women. The election is being conducted under an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, which has pledged a free, fair and peaceful process.
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Pink vs White Ballots and Top Contenders
Voters cast two ballots — a white one for the parliamentary election and a pink one for the referendum on the July Charter, which outlines reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and preventing authoritarian rule.
Bangladesh politics has long been shaped by rivalry between Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. However, Hasina’s Awami League has been barred from contesting, making the BNP the leading contender, with Tarique Rahman emerging as its main face. The BNP is being challenged by an 11-party bloc led by Jamaat-e-Islami, along with the youth-driven National Citizen Party.
Key Issues and What’s at Stake
The polls are seen as Bangladesh’s first major contest since 2009, with Generation Z voters playing a significant role. Corruption, inflation, jobs and economic recovery remain top concerns. The referendum results, along with the election outcome, will test whether Bangladesh moves toward institutional reform or continues existing power patterns. Results are expected to begin emerging by early Friday, though officials warn counting may take longer this year.
