Counting of votes began on Thursday, February 12, in Bangladesh’s first national election since the violent 2024 uprising that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power. The Election Commission reported voter turnout at about 48%, and officials said final results were expected on February 13.
The vote pits the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) against an Islamist-backed alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami in partnership with the National Citizens Party (NCP). The BNP fielded 291 candidates; its leader, Tarique Rahman, widely seen as the frontrunner for prime minister, said the party was confident of defeating the alliance and forming the next government. Rahman, 60, described the vote as a chance for the BNP to stage a political comeback after being sidelined during Hasina’s 15-year rule.
The election follows months of turmoil sparked by student-led protests that intensified calls for fresh parliamentary polls and ultimately forced Hasina from office. Bangladesh, a nation of roughly 170 million people, was undergoing a major political transition as ballots were counted.
The Awami League, led by Hasina, was barred from contesting the 13th National Parliament elections. In her first statement after polling ended, Hasina rejected the vote, calling it “illegal” and “unconstitutional” and demanding its cancellation. She alleged the process was held without her party’s participation and said turnout was extremely low, claiming polling stations in Dhaka and other areas were largely empty.
Election officials have set expectations for final tallies to be announced on February 13 as counting proceeds across constituencies. Observers and rival parties will be watching closely for the outcome and how it shapes Bangladesh’s next government.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/international/polling-ends-vote-counting-begins-in-bangladeshs-first-election-after-2024-uprising-results-on-february-13
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Publish Date: 2026-02-12 18:52:00
