Thursday, 12 February, 2026
Bangladesh today embarks on a historic democratic transition as millions of voters take part in the long-awaited 13th national elections and referendum of 2026.
The polls, widely anticipated after nearly 17 years of restricted political participation, are being held amid heightened concerns over vote buying and sporadic violence, but with unprecedented security and administrative measures designed to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful process.
Voting is underway simultaneously in 299 parliamentary constituencies across the country from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without pause. The election in Sherpur-3 constituency, however, has been cancelled following the death of a candidate.
A Festive Return to the Ballot
Millions of voters, eager to exercise their democratic rights, have left urban centres and returned to their ancestral villages in a celebratory rush to reclaim their voices. For nearly two decades, many citizens were effectively excluded from meaningful participation, as the now-banned Awami League government, led by the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, retained power through two national elections widely criticised for the absence of broad voter involvement.
“The voting will be held in a festive and election-friendly atmosphere,” Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar told reporters. “People will be able to come to polling centres without fear and return home safely after casting their ballots.” He called on young voters, in particular, to take an active part in shaping the country’s democratic future.
Record Security Deployment
In a historic move, nearly 900,000 law enforcement personnel have been deployed across the country to maintain security during the elections. Over 100,000 army personnel are on duty, alongside air force, navy, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, police, RAB, Ansar, and Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) personnel. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, and body-worn cameras are being deployed for the first time to strengthen security.
The Election Commission (EC) described the overall law-and-order situation as normal, emphasising that authorities are prepared for any contingencies. “Transparency remains a cornerstone of our election management,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said in a televised address, urging the public to maintain harmony and cooperate fully to ensure a smooth process.
Vote Buying and Electoral Challenges
Despite extensive preparations, isolated incidents of vote buying and intimidation have raised concerns. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lodged complaints alleging that Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were distributing cash to influence voters in several constituencies.
Notably, Belal Uddin, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Thakurgaon unit, was detained at Saidpur Airport with Tk 74 lakh in cash and subsequently admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital after suffering a heart attack. In Cumilla, locals reportedly recovered Tk 2 lakh from a vehicle belonging to a Jamaat leader, leading to immediate detention of the accused. Another activist was arrested in Shariatpur with over Tk 7 lakh during a joint operation.
The EC issued formal warnings emphasising that vote buying is a punishable offence and pledged strict legal action against any violations. Jamaat leaders, however, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Record Voter Registration and International Observers
The 2026 elections have seen extensive voter registration, with approximately 4.5 million new voters enrolled, including 2.7 million women, bringing the total number of registered voters to over 127 million. For the first time, Bangladesh has introduced out-of-country voting through postal ballots for its diaspora, with approximately 0.8 million expatriate voters registered. In-country postal voting has also been expanded for eligible voters.
A total of 50 political parties are participating, with 2,028 candidates contesting across constituencies, including 83 female candidates. The BNP has fielded the highest number of candidates at 291. Voter eligibility stands at 127,298,522, comprising 64,620,077 men, 62,677,232 women, and 1,213 third-gender voters.
A total of 800,000 officials are overseeing the elections, including returning officers, presiding officers, polling officers, and magistrates. For the first time, UAVs and drones will monitor polling centres, and judicial magistrates will handle election-related offences to ensure accountability.
Adding to the credibility of the process, more than 394 international observers and 197 foreign journalists are covering the elections. Observer missions have come from organisations including ANFREL, the Commonwealth Secretariat, IRI, NDI, the OIC, and the European Union, along with independent observers from 21 countries. Their presence marks more than double the international scrutiny compared to the controversial general election held on 7 January 2024.
Voting Logistics and Procedures
Voting is being conducted at 42,779 polling centres, comprising 247,482 polling rooms, using ballot papers in transparent ballot boxes. Eligible voters present at the polling centre by 4:30 pm will be allowed to cast their ballots, ensuring no citizen is disenfranchised due to delays.
Postal voting, both domestic and for the diaspora, has been enabled through the Postal Vote BD mobile application, with 1,533,684 voters registered. Officials are on standby to ensure smooth processing of these ballots.
A Defining Moment for Bangladesh
Today’s 13th national election and referendum represent more than a routine exercise in democracy; they are a symbolic reclaiming of the electorate’s voice after nearly two decades of restricted participation. With extensive security deployment, careful administration, and record voter registration, Bangladesh is demonstrating its commitment to a credible democratic process despite challenges.
As polling continues, the nation watches closely, aware that the outcomes of these elections will chart the country’s political future. Citizens are casting their ballots not only to elect representatives but also to reaffirm their faith in democratic institutions and to signal the resilience of a democratic Bangladesh.
With optimism prevailing across polling centres, the Election Commission remains confident that the process will proceed peacefully, offering citizens a historic opportunity to participate in shaping the nation’s future.
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Bangladesh today embarks on a historic democratic transition as millions of voters take part in the long-awaited 13th national elections and referendum of 2026.
The polls, widely anticipated after nearly 17 years of restricted political participation, are being held amid heightened concerns over vote buying and sporadic violence, but with unprecedented security and administrative measures designed to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful process.
Voting is underway simultaneously in 299 parliamentary constituencies across the country from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without pause. The election in Sherpur-3 constituency, however, has been cancelled following the death of a candidate.
A Festive Return to the Ballot
Millions of voters, eager to exercise their democratic rights, have left urban centres and returned to their ancestral villages in a celebratory rush to reclaim their voices. For nearly two decades, many citizens were effectively excluded from meaningful participation, as the now-banned Awami League government, led by the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, retained power through two national elections widely criticised for the absence of broad voter involvement.
“The voting will be held in a festive and election-friendly atmosphere,” Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarkar told reporters. “People will be able to come to polling centres without fear and return home safely after casting their ballots.” He called on young voters, in particular, to take an active part in shaping the country’s democratic future.
Record Security Deployment
In a historic move, nearly 900,000 law enforcement personnel have been deployed across the country to maintain security during the elections. Over 100,000 army personnel are on duty, alongside air force, navy, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Coast Guard, police, RAB, Ansar, and Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) personnel. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, and body-worn cameras are being deployed for the first time to strengthen security.
The Election Commission (EC) described the overall law-and-order situation as normal, emphasising that authorities are prepared for any contingencies. “Transparency remains a cornerstone of our election management,” Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AMM Nasir Uddin said in a televised address, urging the public to maintain harmony and cooperate fully to ensure a smooth process.
Vote Buying and Electoral Challenges
Despite extensive preparations, isolated incidents of vote buying and intimidation have raised concerns. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lodged complaints alleging that Jamaat-e-Islami leaders were distributing cash to influence voters in several constituencies.
Notably, Belal Uddin, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami’s Thakurgaon unit, was detained at Saidpur Airport with Tk 74 lakh in cash and subsequently admitted to Rangpur Medical College Hospital after suffering a heart attack. In Cumilla, locals reportedly recovered Tk 2 lakh from a vehicle belonging to a Jamaat leader, leading to immediate detention of the accused. Another activist was arrested in Shariatpur with over Tk 7 lakh during a joint operation.
The EC issued formal warnings emphasising that vote buying is a punishable offence and pledged strict legal action against any violations. Jamaat leaders, however, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
Record Voter Registration and International Observers
The 2026 elections have seen extensive voter registration, with approximately 4.5 million new voters enrolled, including 2.7 million women, bringing the total number of registered voters to over 127 million. For the first time, Bangladesh has introduced out-of-country voting through postal ballots for its diaspora, with approximately 0.8 million expatriate voters registered. In-country postal voting has also been expanded for eligible voters.
A total of 50 political parties are participating, with 2,028 candidates contesting across constituencies, including 83 female candidates. The BNP has fielded the highest number of candidates at 291. Voter eligibility stands at 127,298,522, comprising 64,620,077 men, 62,677,232 women, and 1,213 third-gender voters.
A total of 800,000 officials are overseeing the elections, including returning officers, presiding officers, polling officers, and magistrates. For the first time, UAVs and drones will monitor polling centres, and judicial magistrates will handle election-related offences to ensure accountability.
Adding to the credibility of the process, more than 394 international observers and 197 foreign journalists are covering the elections. Observer missions have come from organisations including ANFREL, the Commonwealth Secretariat, IRI, NDI, the OIC, and the European Union, along with independent observers from 21 countries. Their presence marks more than double the international scrutiny compared to the controversial general election held on 7 January 2024.
Voting Logistics and Procedures
Voting is being conducted at 42,779 polling centres, comprising 247,482 polling rooms, using ballot papers in transparent ballot boxes. Eligible voters present at the polling centre by 4:30 pm will be allowed to cast their ballots, ensuring no citizen is disenfranchised due to delays.
Postal voting, both domestic and for the diaspora, has been enabled through the Postal Vote BD mobile application, with 1,533,684 voters registered. Officials are on standby to ensure smooth processing of these ballots.
A Defining Moment for Bangladesh
Today’s 13th national election and referendum represent more than a routine exercise in democracy; they are a symbolic reclaiming of the electorate’s voice after nearly two decades of restricted participation. With extensive security deployment, careful administration, and record voter registration, Bangladesh is demonstrating its commitment to a credible democratic process despite challenges.
As polling continues, the nation watches closely, aware that the outcomes of these elections will chart the country’s political future. Citizens are casting their ballots not only to elect representatives but also to reaffirm their faith in democratic institutions and to signal the resilience of a democratic Bangladesh.
With optimism prevailing across polling centres, the Election Commission remains confident that the process will proceed peacefully, offering citizens a historic opportunity to participate in shaping the nation’s future.
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