Feb 12 (V7N) — Official vote counting is underway across Bangladesh after polls closed at 4:30 PM today in the country’s 13th National Parliamentary Election. This landmark vote, the first since the political upheaval of 2024, also saw citizens participating in a national referendum to decide the fate of a comprehensive constitutional reform package.

Election Commission (EC) Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed reported a steady voter turnout, with approximately 48% of the 127 million registered voters having cast their ballots by 2:00 PM. While the day was marked by a heavy security presence, officials characterized the overall process as largely peaceful.

High-Profile Participation and Political Shifts

The election represents a major shift in the nation's political landscape, primarily pitting the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) against a surging 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami. The ousted Awami League remained absent from the ballot following its suspension last year.

Key political figures were among the first to cast their votes this morning:

 Tarique Rahman (BNP Chairman): Voted at Gulshan Model High School and College, describing the day as a long-awaited moment for democratic restoration.

 Dr. Shafiqur Rahman (Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer): Cast his ballot at Monipur High School and College.

 Prof. Muhammad Yunus (Interim Chief Adviser): Cast his vote early in the day, hailing the election as a "day of great joy" for the nation.

Unprecedented Security and Logistics

To ensure order, the government executed a massive security operation involving nearly 900,000 law enforcement personnel. This force includes over 100,000 army troops and thousands of paramilitary members from the BGB and Coast Guard. Additionally, over 2,700 magistrates were deployed to oversee the legal integrity of the polling stations.

Voting was held in 299 of the 300 parliamentary seats; the Sherpur-3 constituency was postponed following the death of a candidate.

International Scrutiny

The process is being monitored by a significant international contingent, including roughly 400 foreign observers and 200 international journalists. Delegations from the European Union and other global bodies are tracking the transition from polling to the complex tabulation of both parliamentary seats and the reform referendum.

Official results for both the 13th Parliament and the "July Charter" referendum are expected to be announced by the Election Commission on the morning of February 13.

END/AJ/RH/