Dhaka: Bangladesh is holding its 13th general election, the first since the 2024 uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ended her decade-long rule.
Millions of voters are heading to the polling stations to shape the country’s democratic future. Over 157,000 police officers, supported by 100,000 soldiers and thousands of other security personnel, have been deployed nationwide to maintain order.
Nearly 127 million citizens are eligible to vote, including one-fourth who are first-time voters. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is emerging as the frontrunner.
Challenging the BNP is an 11-party coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami, which was previously banned under Hasina but has gained influence since her fall. The coalition also includes the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), established by leaders of last year’s uprising.
Alongside the parliamentary vote, citizens are also voting in a referendum on political reforms, which includes prime ministerial term limits and stronger checks on executive power. Authorities hope these measures will prevent a repeat of the political centralization seen under Hasina.
Tomorrow is Election Day.
BNP calls upon the people of Bangladesh to cast their valuable vote for the Paddy Sheaf (Dhaner Shish), the symbol of democracy, justice, and the people’s rights.
Your vote is your voice. Let us move forward together to restore democracy, protect the… pic.twitter.com/TAMU4ahTB3— Bangladesh Nationalist Party-BNP (@bdbnp78) February 11, 2026
High Alert for Violence
Security concerns remain high. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Muhammad Sanaullah said cameras cover over 90 percent of the country’s 299 constituencies. One seat has already suspended voting following the death of a candidate.
Police Chief Baharul Alam reported that more than half of the 42,000 polling stations were considered at risk of violence, unrest, or ballot tampering. During the campaign period from December to February, five people were killed and over 600 were injured, while broader political clashes from August 2024 to December 2025 claimed 158 lives and injured thousands more.
To strengthen security, officers will patrol high-risk polling stations with body-worn cameras for the first time. Alam acknowledged public distrust of the police but vowed to ensure a peaceful election.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, declared three public holidays to facilitate the voting process. Thousands of voters, including factory workers from Dhaka, are traveling to their hometowns, causing heavy traffic on key highways. Many say they are motivated to vote after years of restricted participation under Hasina’s regime.
Yunus, in a televised address, urged citizens to cast their ballots fearlessly. “Your vote will not only elect a government. It will challenge unrestrained power, reshape the nation, and ensure the voices of our youth, women, and resilient people are never silenced again,” he said.
