Bangladesh begins voting after 2024 uprising

Dhaka, Thursday — Bangladesh began voting on Thursday in its first national election since the deadly 2024 uprising that removed former prime minister Sheikh Hasina from power.

Polling stations opened early across the country, with long queues reported in several cities and rural areas. Around 127 million voters are registered to take part in the election in the South Asian nation of 170 million people.

The vote is seen as a major test of Bangladesh’s return to democratic rule after months of political instability.

Close contest expected

The main competition is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist group Jamaat-e-Islami.

BNP leader Tarique Rahman, 60, is aiming to bring his party back to power. Opinion polls suggest BNP is slightly ahead, though analysts expect a close race.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Shafiqur Rahman, 67, has run an organised grassroots campaign. A win for Jamaat would mark the first Islamist-led government in constitutionally secular Bangladesh.

Referendum on reforms

Alongside the election, voters are also casting ballots in a national referendum.

The proposed reforms include limits on prime-ministerial terms, the creation of an upper house of parliament, stronger presidential powers, and greater independence for the judiciary.

Voters will directly elect 300 members of parliament, with 50 additional seats reserved for women to be filled later through party lists.

Interim government and security

The country has been governed by interim leader Muhammad Yunus since August 2024, following Sheikh Hasina’s removal after mass protests.

Mr Yunus said the election would shape the country’s future and urged all parties to accept the results peacefully.

More than 300,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide. Polls opened at 7:30am local time and will close at 4:30pm, with counting expected to begin shortly after.

Challenges ahead

The next government will face serious economic challenges, including unemployment and rising costs. Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest garment exporter, but growth has slowed since last year’s unrest.

Observers say a fair and peaceful election would mark an important step towards political stability and democratic renewal.