Dhaka, Bangladesh. Vote counting began in Bangladesh’s national election on Thursday after tens of millions voted for a new government following the 2024 ouster of long-time premier Sheikh Hasina. Officials said early trends were expected around midnight, with results likely clear by Friday morning.
Turnout and counting timeline
Although final figures were not immediately available, Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission, told reporters that nearly half the electorate had voted at 36,031 of the 42,651 polling centres by 2 p.m. (0800 GMT), with two-and-a-half hours to go. That exceeds the entire 42% turnout recorded at the last election in 2024.
Counting began at 4:30 p.m. (1030 GMT) at most booths immediately after polls closed, Election Commission officials said.
Political stakes and coalitions
Analysts said a decisive result is crucial for steady governance in the nation of 175 million after deadly anti-Hasina protests triggered months of unrest and disrupted key industries, including the garments sector, the world’s second-largest exporter.
The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP.
Candidates’ statements
Both prime ministerial candidates, the BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, said they were confident of winning, and Election Commission officials noted the two men are not related.
“I am confident of winning the election. There is enthusiasm among the people about the vote,” Tarique Rahman told reporters. Shafiqur Rahman called the election a “turning point” for Bangladesh and said the people were eager for change.
Regional context
The election is the world’s first after an uprising led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to be followed by Nepal next month.
Hasina’s Awami League is banned, and she remains in self-imposed exile in long-term ally India, opening the window for China to expand its influence in Bangladesh as Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi deteriorate.
What do you expect will be the most significant outcome of the election results for Bangladesh’s governance?
