Vote count underway across Bangladesh
Counting of votes is underway in Bangladesh and the results are expected to be announced soon, determining which political party will shape the country’s next Government.The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) appears to have the edge over its once ally Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) in the crucial general elections on Thursday to elect a new Government to replace the interim administration, which took charge after the collapse of the Awami League regime in August 2024.
Election officials and media reports said early results gave an edge to the BNP with its nominees leading in over 175 seats while JeI candidates leading in 30 seats.
Polling was conducted in 299 of the 300 parliamentary constituencies after voting in one seat was postponed due to the death of a candidate.
The campaign largely revolved around development, economic revival, improvements in healthcare and education, and urgent demands for job creation. Allegations of corruption and governance failures during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also figured prominently. Despite political tensions, no widespread anti-India sentiment was visible during the campaign or polling process. The only recurring concern raised by some voters related to former Prime Minister Hasina reportedly being sheltered in New Delhi.“We are not against India. How can we be? India is like an elder brother to us. We share a long relationship, not only culturally but also through our extensive border,” said a voter in Dhaka, requesting anonymity.“Our only concern is why Sheikh Hasina is being sheltered in New Delhi,” they added.
A day before polling, JeI chief Shafiqur Rahman told The Pioneer that his party seeks to build strong and constructive ties with India.
The Pioneer, reporting from various constituencies in Dhaka, interacted with several voters who described the election as a turning point. Among them was a woman who said she had cast her vote for the first time in 17 years. She described this election as different from previous ones, alleging that earlier polls were not truly representative and appeared tilted in favour of one party.
Another voter from the Dhaka-12 constituency said Bangladesh has historically maintained friendly relations with India and should continue to do so. The voter stressed that the incoming Government must prioritise employment generation and work towards strengthening positive ties with neighbouring countries, particularly India. While officials from the election commission described the voting process as largely peaceful, sporadic clashes were reported in parts of Dhaka and its outskirts between supporters of the BNP and JeI.
In the Mirpur constituency, where JeI chief Shafiqur Rahman is contesting, the Army was deployed along with heavy security forces following scuffles between rival supporters.
In Khulna, one leader was reported dead after a clash between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists. Local reports identified the deceased as a BNP leader who allegedly died following the confrontation. Chief Adviser Mohammed Yunus addressed the media shortly after voting concluded, calling the day historic.
“Today is a great day for us - a rebirth of Bangladesh. Leaving the past behind, we are moving forward. It is a day of freedom for our countrymen,” Yunus said. However, exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strongly rejected the legitimacy of the polls. In her first statement since voting ended, she called for the cancellation of what she termed a “voter-less, illegal and unconstitutional” election.
Labelling the process “deceptive,” Hasina alleged that the polls were conducted without the participation of her party, the Awami League, and without genuine voter involvement.“In this situation, we demand the cancellation of this voter-less, illegal and unconstitutional election and the resignation of Yunus,” she said in a statement. Her remarks come as counting continues amid heightened political tension across the country.
