DHAKA: Bangladesh began voting on Thursday in its first national election since the deadly 2024 uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina, with voters lining up at polling stations across the country amid expectations of a closely contested race.
Leading prime ministerial hopeful Tarique Rahman, 60, is confident his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can return to power, but faces a strong challenge from the country’s largest Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami.
Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman, 67, has run an organised grassroots campaign and, if successful, could lead the first Islamist-led government in constitutionally secular Bangladesh.
Opinion polls vary widely, though most give the BNP an advantage, while some suggest a razor-thin contest.
“The significance of this day is far-reaching,” interim leader Muhammad Yunus said ahead of the vote in the nation of about 170 million people.
“It will determine the future direction of the country, the character of its democracy, its durability, and the fate of the next generation.”
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The 85-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate has led Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended with her removal from power in August 2024. His interim administration barred her Awami League party from contesting the election.
Hasina, 78, was sentenced to death in absentia for crimes against humanity linked to a deadly crackdown on protesters during her final months in office and is believed to be in India.
‘Crucial test’ for democracy
Yunus has pushed for sweeping democratic reforms to overhaul what he described as a “completely broken” governance system and prevent a return to one-party rule.
Alongside the general election, roughly 127 million voters are also participating in a referendum on proposals that include term limits for the prime minister, the creation of a new upper house of parliament, expanded presidential powers, and stronger judicial independence.
Voters are electing 300 lawmakers directly, while an additional 50 women will be selected from party lists.
More than 300,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide. Polling opened at 7:30am local time and will close at 4:30pm, with manual counting to begin afterward.
“The crucial test for Bangladesh now will be to ensure the election is conducted fairly and impartially, and for all parties to then accept the result,” said Thomas Kean, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.
“If that happens, it will be the strongest evidence yet that Bangladesh has indeed embarked on a period of democratic renewal.”
Economy and stability at stake
The incoming government will inherit a weakened economy in the world’s second-largest garment exporter, along with sensitive diplomatic ties with neighbouring India.
BNP leader Tarique Rahman said restoring stability would be his immediate priority if elected.
“The economy has been destroyed,” he said. “There are a huge number of unemployed. We need to create businesses for these young people to have jobs.”
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami has campaigned on promises of justice and anti-corruption reforms, viewing the election as its biggest opportunity in decades.
“We want to build a country of unity with everyone on board,” Shafiqur Rahman said in his final campaign speech. “It will be a country where nobody gets the driving seat because of their family background.”
About 10 percent of Bangladesh’s population belongs to non-Muslim communities, mostly Hindus.
In his final address before voting began, Yunus urged citizens to honour the sacrifices of the 2024 uprising and put national interests above political divisions.
“Victory is part of democracy; defeat is also an inevitable part,” he said. “Please dedicate yourselves to building a new, just, and inclusive Bangladesh.”
