Voting time for general elections in Bangladesh ends

Voting has concluded in Bangladesh's general elections, where 50 political parties are participating and over 127 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots. Polling took place in 299 constituencies across the country from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm local time. Candidates from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party, and Jatiya Party, among others, are vying for 300 parliamentary seats, with a majority of 151 seats required to form a government.

Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's candidate for prime minister, while Shafiqur Rahman is a strong contender for the Jamaat-e-Islami. The National Citizen Party, led by Sheikh Hasina Wajid, who played a key role in the August 2024 coup, is also part of the Jamaat-e-Islami alliance, although the party's candidates are not participating in the election due to restrictions.

Bangladesh National Party chief Tarique Rahman cast his vote, stating that maintaining law and order is his top priority, so that people can feel safe, and that half of the country's population is women, who will be a focus of attention. He expressed hope for a win.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman also cast his vote, saying that these elections are a crucial turning point for Bangladesh, where people's demands and desires are changing, and that they too deserve change. Strict security measures are in place across the country, with the military deployed. The Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh said that measures have been taken to ensure a transparent, free, and impartial electoral process.

A recent public survey on Bangladesh's national parliamentary elections predicted a tough competition between the alliance led by the BNP and the one led by the Jamaat-e-Islami. According to the survey, the alliance led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is likely to receive 44.1% of the vote, while the alliance led by the Jamaat-e-Islami, comprising 11 political parties, may receive 43.9% of the vote.