Dhaka, Feb 13 (V7N) — The Election Commission of Bangladesh announced that 59.44 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots in the 13th National Parliament Election and Referendum held on Thursday (February 12). This update was shared by the EC’s Public Relations Department on Friday morning.

Earlier, the EC reported that by 2:30 pm on election day, 47.91 percent of votes had been cast in 36,031 out of 42,651 polling stations. Voting continued until 4:30 pm, making the total duration nine hours.

Elections took place in 299 out of 300 constituencies, with Sherpur-3 postponed following the death of a candidate. Of the 297 constituencies where results have been announced, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies secured 212 seats, while the 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami won 77 seats.

The EC also noted that results for Chittagong-2 and Chittagong-4 constituencies have been postponed due to legal complications, though BNP candidates are leading in both constituencies.

For context, the highest voter turnout in Bangladesh’s previous 12 parliamentary elections was recorded in the 9th National Parliament Election on December 29, 2008, with 87.13 percent participation.

END/SMA/AJ