DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh held its first parliamentary election on Thursday since the 2024 protests led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The election, largely peaceful according to reports, is being viewed as a crucial test of the country’s democratic institutions after years of political instability.
Voting began slowly but gained momentum throughout the day, with crowds gathering at polling stations in Dhaka and across the nation. By 2:00 p.m. Local time, the Election Commission reported that over 47% of eligible voters had cast their ballots. Polls closed at 4:30 p.m., and counting commenced immediately, with full results anticipated on Friday.
At polling stations in Dhaka, officials manually counted the black-and-white paper ballots, meticulously verifying each one before tabulating the results. Representatives from various political parties were present as observers, while security personnel maintained a watchful presence.
More than 127 million Bangladeshis were eligible to participate in the election, the first since Hasina’s removal from power following weeks of widespread protests, often described as a “Gen Z uprising.” Hasina herself is currently in self-imposed exile in India, and her party, the Awami League, has been barred from contesting the election.
‘Birthday of a New Bangladesh’
Tarique Rahman, representing the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has emerged as a leading contender to form the next government. Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-exile in London. He has pledged to rebuild democratic institutions, restore the rule of law, and address the country’s economic challenges.
The BNP faces competition from an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party. This party was previously banned under Hasina’s administration but has gained prominence since her removal. The growing influence of Jamaat-e-Islami has raised concerns among women and minority communities, who fear potential restrictions on social freedoms should the alliance come to power. Bangladesh is overwhelmingly Muslim, with approximately 8% of the population identifying as Hindu.
Shafiqur Rahman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed optimism after casting his vote. “The election is a turning point,” he told the Associated Press. “People demand change. They desire change. We also desire the change.”
Muhammad Yunus, the head of the interim government, struck an upbeat tone, describing the election as a moment of national joy. “Today is the birthday of a new Bangladesh,” Yunus told reporters after voting in Dhaka’s Gulshan area and visiting several polling stations.
Voters Choosing New Lawmakers and a Potential Referendum
Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has stated that his interim government is committed to ensuring a credible and transparent election. Approximately 500 international observers and foreign journalists, including delegations from the European Union and the Commonwealth, are present to monitor the process.
Bangladesh’s Parliament comprises 350 seats, with 300 directly elected from single-member constituencies and 50 reserved for women. Lawmakers are elected by plurality, and the Parliament serves a five-year term. The Election Commission recently postponed voting in one constituency following the death of a candidate.
The election follows a period marked by mob violence, attacks on Hindu minorities, and a perceived weakening of the rule of law. It has the potential to reshape the domestic stability of Bangladesh, a nation with a history of political turmoil, military coups, and allegations of vote rigging since gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971. Young voters, many of whom were central to the 2024 protests, are expected to play a significant role, with some 5 million first-time voters eligible to cast ballots.
“I think We see a very crucial election because What we have is the first time we can show our opinion with freedom,” said Ikram ul Haque, 28. “We are celebrating the election. It is like a festival here. I hope Bangladesh will have exponential change.”
Beyond the election of lawmakers, voters were also asked to consider a series of major reform proposals outlined in a national charter signed by major political parties last year. If a majority of voters endorse the referendum, the newly elected Parliament could establish a constitutional reform council to implement the changes within 180 days of its first session. These proposals include the creation of new constitutional bodies and a transition from a unicameral to a bicameral Parliament, with an upper house empowered to amend the constitution by majority vote.
Both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami signed the charter, albeit with some initial reservations. Hasina’s Awami League, despite remaining a significant political force, was excluded from the discussions and has denounced the election from exile, citing the exclusion of her party. Some critics have also argued that the referendum presents voters with limited options.
