Dhaka election 2026 highlights: Voting ends for Bangladesh general elections amid long queues, tight security
Dhaka election 2026 highlights: While the polling was largely violence-free, a crude bomb blast was reported from Munshiganj and Gopalganj areas.
Dhaka election 2026 highlights: Polling in Bangladesh general elections concluded at 4:30 pm, local time, and counting began immediately, with early trends expected around midnight and results likely to be clear by Friday morning. Election Commission officials said....Read More
Voter turnout of 47.91% was recorded at 2pm, Daily Star reported, citing poll body officials. Over 32 per cent of the electorate voted till noon in the crucial parliamentary elections.
Despite isolated incidents in different parts of the country, voting was largely peacefull, Bangladesh Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said at a briefing.
While the polling was largely violence-free, a crude bomb blast was reported from Munshiganj and Gopalganj areas, injuring three people. The explosion occurred at the Makhati Gurucharan High School polling station in Mollakandi Union of Sadar upazila, drawing rapid response from law enforcement.
As the country voted on Thursday, February 12, nowhere is the battle more closely watched than in the capital Dhaka, which accounts for 20 constituencies. Among them, Dhaka-17 has drawn particular interest as Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman – son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia – contests after returning from 17 years in self-exile.
Rahman, who came back to Bangladesh in December, is facing Jamaat-e-Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman in Dhaka-17. The constituency has 333,777 voters, with 174,709 male, 159,060 female, making it one of the key urban battlegrounds in the capital.
Track Bangladesh election 2026 live updates
Of the total 1,981 candidates in fray across Bangladesh, only 78 are women, with 17 of them contested from Dhaka. However, in the the absence of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, the overall contest is largely seen as a face-off between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.
More than 127 million eligible voters, including nearly 5 million first-time voters, cast their votes to decide the future of a nation of 170 million people. The polling was conducted across 299 of the 300 parliamentary seats, with one deferred due to a candidate’s death.
High-security blanket in Dhaka
Given Dhaka’s political weight, security arrangements in the capital were extensive. Police said they had submitted a list of risk-prone polling centres to the Election Commission (EC), identifying 1,614 of Dhaka’s 2,131 polling centres as vulnerable. The army, however, said it had identified two centres in Dhaka city as “risky,” a report in PTI news agency said.
Nearly 90 per cent of polling centres in the capital were under CCTV surveillance, according to a Dhaka Tribune report citing authorities.
Nationwide, the EC deployed nearly one million security personnel, the largest mobilisation in the country’s electoral history. Inspector General of Police Baharul Alam outlined a three-layered security arrangement comprising static forces at polling stations, mobile patrols and rapid-response teams.
He said 1,57,805 police personnel will be engaged in primary election security duties, supported by 29,798 additional officers, bringing the total police deployment to 1,87,603.
First election without Sheikh Hasina
This is the first general election in decades without Hasina, who resigned following the 2024 student-led uprising and now lives in exile in India.
The 13th Parliamentary elections are being held alongside a national referendum on an 84-point reform package, including proposals for term limits for the prime minister and stronger institutional checks on executive power.
‘Birthday of new Bangladesh’
The election comes 18 months after the mass protests that ended Awami League dominance and propelled Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus into a leadership role. In a televised address, Chief Adviser Yunus urged citizens to treat election day as the “birthday of a new Bangladesh,” saying their participation would determine the country’s direction, reported AP.
Alongside choosing lawmakers, voters will weigh in on a reform blueprint proposing constitutional and institutional safeguards against power concentration, called the July National Charter.
For the first time, Bangladeshi citizens living abroad are also able to vote through a postal ballot system, widening participation among the country’s large expatriate population.
Counting of votes will start soon after the polling concludes, results are expected to be announced on Friday, February 13.
Dhaka’s high-stakes election battle: 10 points
1. Polling began at 7:30 am and continued until 4:30 pm without interruption. Authorities say logistical preparations are complete, with ballot papers distributed under tight security cover. The capital is a major battleground with 20 constituencies and 2,131 polling centres.
2. Police identified 1,614 of these as risk-prone and shared the list with the Election Commission, while the army said it identified two centres in Dhaka city as “risky.”
3. According to a Dhaka Tribune report citing authorities, close to 90 per cent of polling centres in the capital are under CCTV surveillance to deter violence and malpractice.
4. BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, son of late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is contesting from Dhaka-17 after returning from 17 years in self-exile. He faces Jamaat-e-Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman in one of the most closely watched contests in the capital.
5. The Dhaka constituency has 333,777 voters, including 174,709 men, 159,060 women and eight hijra voters, reflecting the diverse urban electorate in the capital.
6. Nationwide, 1,981 candidates are in the fray (1,755 from 50 registered parties and 273 independents). Only 78 are women overall. Of them, 17 are contesting from Dhaka.
7. This is the first parliamentary election since the July 2024 student-led uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and exile in India.
8. Hasina’s Awami League has been disbanded, making this a direct contest largely between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami and its 11-party alliance.
9. More than 127 million eligible voters, including nearly 5 million first-time voters, are casting ballots across 299 seats. For the first time, expatriates can vote by postal ballot.
10. Around 500 foreign observers are present; ANI reported that 394 international observers and 197 foreign journalists have arrived to monitor the Bangladesh’s 13th general election.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 05:24:12 PM IST
Live updates to this blog end here.
- 12 Feb 2026, 05:22:13 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Key highlights until now
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Polls closed in Bangladesh's general election on Thursday at 4:30pm, the first election since the deadly 2024 uprising.
A crude bomb blast at a polling centre in Munshiganj on Thursday triggered a brief disruption in voting.
BNP leader Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman cast their votes in Dhaka.
Nearly half the electorate had voted at 36,031 of the 42,651 polling centres by 2 p.m.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 04:49:52 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Counting begins in general elections
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Counting began on Thursday in Bangladesh's first election since a deadly 2024 uprising, with powerful political heir Tarique Rahman bullish about defeating an Islamist-led coalition, AFP reported.
Leading prime ministerial hopeful Tarique Rahman, said he was "confident" his Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) can regain power in the South Asian nation of 170 million people.
- 12 Feb 2026, 04:23:10 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Polls close in Bangladesh general election
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Polls closed in Bangladesh's general election on Thursday, the first election since the deadly 2024 uprising, AFP reported.
Counting by hand is expected to begin almost immediately, with the first significant results potentially expected overnight.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 04:11:50 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: BNP leader Tarique Rahman says if elected ‘will focus on improving law and order’
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Tarique Rahman, chairman of the BNP, which has emerged as the forerunner, casted his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College centre in Dhaka.
He said if elected to power, "We will lay priority to improving law and order in the country so that people feel secure".
- 12 Feb 2026, 03:56:04 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Bangladeshi activist says ‘voting largely peaceful’ amid instances of violence
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Bangladeshi writer and activist Taslima Nasreen on Thursday said that despite disturbances being reported at some polling stations and clashes between supporters of two parties, “voting was largely peaceful.”
“It is alleged that since yesterday evening, Jamaat-e-Islami activists cast votes themselves at some polling stations,” she said.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 03:45:50 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Crude bomb blast at Munshiganj polling centre triggers brief disruption
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: A crude bomb blast at a polling centre in Munshiganj on Thursday triggered a brief disruption in voting and heightened tensions as Bangladesh's 13th national parliamentary election continued across the country, ANI reported, citing Dhaka Tribune.
The explosion occurred at the Makhati Gurucharan High School polling station in Mollakandi Union of Sadar upazila. No casualties were reported as of yet.
- 12 Feb 2026, 03:35:39 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Jamaat-e-Islami candidate says ‘situation not good’
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Khaleduz Zaman, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate, who is running against BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, on Thursday said that the “situation is not good because without a polling agent, in a separate room, someone is sealing the papers,” ANI quoted him as saying.
Calling the situation ‘disappointing,’ Zaman said that the party was hopeful that it will win but "if this happens, how can we have hopes."
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- 12 Feb 2026, 03:24:54 PM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Over 32% electorate voted till noon
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Over 32 per cent of the electorate reportedly voted till noon in the crucial parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. Voting was continuing in all centres despite isolated incidents in different parts of the country, Bangladesh Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said at a briefing.
He said that 32.88 per cent voter turnout was recorded at 32,789 polling centres till 12 pm, PTI reported, citing Dhaka Tribune.
- 12 Feb 2026, 11:55:32 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: BNP's student wing alleges Jammat-e-Islami casting ‘illegal votes’
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: A memeber of BNP's student wing, Zubair alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami is trying to “mislead voters” and casting “illegal votes.”
“We have evidence that they're outcasting, misleading voters at the vote centres, and committing criminal activities there. They are casting illegal votes also,” he said.
"The new generation's expectations fully meet the BNP's expectations and are also in conflict with the demands of Jamaat-e-Islami... They're actually an underground party... They do not actually have the right to participate in the National Assembly," Zubair added, ANI reported.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 11:47:21 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: Jamaat's candidate from Dhaka-17 expresses dissapointment over poll process
Dhaka election 2026 live updates: BNP's Tarique Rahman's opponenet from Dhaka-17 constituency, Khaleduz Zaman expressed dissappointment, saying, “The situation is not good because without a polling agent, in a separate room, someone is sealing the papers.”
He added, "I have seen this in some places. We were hopeful that Jamaat-e-Islami would win the election, but if this happens, how can we have hopes."
- 12 Feb 2026, 11:25:56 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: BSF on high alert along India-Bangladesh border in Jalpaiguri
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: The Border Security Force (BSF) has been placed on high alert at the Fulbari Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, as Bangladesh holds its 13th Parliamentary elections.
Over 127 million voters are eligible to participate in the country’s first national election since former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government collapsed in 2024 following weeks of mass protests. Hasina, whose party the Awami League is banned from contesting, is currently living in self-imposed exile in India.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 11:16:12 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Early voter turnout low in Dhaka, ranges from 3% to 13%
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Early reports from The Business Standard, confirmed by election officials, indicate that voter turnout in several Dhaka constituencies ranged between 3% and 13% during the first two hours of polling.
The highest early turnout was recorded at Holy Crescent International School and College in Dhaka-9, where by 9:30 am, 13% of the 3,212 registered voters had already cast their ballots.
Authorities continue to monitor polling centres closely as more voters are expected to head to the booths later in the day.
- 12 Feb 2026, 11:12:57 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Three injured in Gopalganj polling centre blast, voting continues
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Three people, including a teenage girl, were injured after a crude bomb exploded at a polling centre in Gopalganj city, the former stronghold of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, Bangladesh’s The Business Standard reported.
The presiding officer confirmed that the injuries were minor. Despite the incident, polling at the centre continued without disruption.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 11:11:33 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Tarique Rahman says ‘people of Bangladesh waiting for this day’
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Tarique Rahman cast his ballot on Thursday at Gulshan Model High School and College in Gulshan-2, calling the day a long-awaited moment for the people of Bangladesh.
“I have exercised my constitutional right to vote. For more than a decade, the people of Bangladesh have been waiting for this day,” Rahman said.
Addressing reports of incidents in some areas, he added, “I have not yet received updates from across the country, but last night we received reports of some undesirable incidents from different areas, which were unexpected. We firmly believe that law enforcement agencies acted strictly to suppress these incidents, as we saw on television until late at night and early this morning. Personally, I strongly believe that if people across Bangladesh come out throughout the day and exercise their right to vote, any conspiracy can be thwarted. I am hopeful — firmly hopeful,” reported PTI.
- 12 Feb 2026, 10:47:49 AM IST
Bangladesh election 2026 live updates: Here are top 5 latest developments
1. Citizens are casting their ballots across 299 constituencies, with polling set to continue until 4:30 pm.
2. BNP leader Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman have already voted in Dhaka, drawing attention to high-profile contests like Dhaka-17. Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus voted in Dhaka.
3. Former Awami League stronghold Gopalganj saw very few voters in the morning. The district, birthplace of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter Sheikh Hasina, has around one million voters, reported BBC.
4. At polling booths in Dhaka, voters are expressing excitement. One voter said, “Our vote day is like Eid day. We are all very happy,” reflecting the festive mood in the capital.
5. Four Dhaka-17 candidates back Tarique Rahman – Ahead of polling in this high-profile constituency, four candidates withdrew and declared their support for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, consolidating his position against Jamaat-e-Islami’s SM Khaliduzzaman.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 10:38:19 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Low voter turnout at Sheikh Hasina’s former stronghold Gopalganj
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Polling in Gopalganj, historically a stronghold of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League, has seen a slow start, with only a small number of voters arriving at centres this morning, BBC reported.
Gopalganj, the birthplace of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his daughter Hasina, has around one million registered voters. Polling agents had hoped for a turnout of about 50%, but early hours saw low activity.
Despite the slow start, officials and agents remain optimistic that voter turnout will pick up as the day progresses, as citizens continue to head to the polls across the district.
- 12 Feb 2026, 10:26:54 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Interim chief Muhammad Yunus casts vote in Dhaka
Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus casted his vote in the 13th Parliamentary elections at a polling station in Dhaka.
Earlier on the election eve, Yunus had urged citizens to participate in the vote and referendum, calling it “the most important election in history.” In a Facebook post ahead of polling, he wrote: “Leaving those chapters behind, tomorrow marks the most important election in history. By taking part in the national election and referendum, let your voice be heard about the kind of Bangladesh you want.”
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- 12 Feb 2026, 10:04:20 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: After casting ballot, voter says, ‘feels like Eid’
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: A voter at a polling booth in Dhaka expressed his excitement after casting his ballot in Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary elections.
He said, “Our vote day is like Eid day. We are all very happy,” reported PTI news agency.
- 12 Feb 2026, 09:43:52 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Who is Tarique Rahman, frontrunner in Bangladesh’s PM race
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Tarique Rahman, the chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, has emerged as the clear front‑runner in the race to become Bangladesh’s next prime minister as voters head to the polls.
Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self‑imposed exile, positioning himself as a strong alternative to the long‑dominant political forces of the past. Though he never held formal office during his mother’s time as prime minister, many Bangladeshis saw him as a powerful figure within the BNP until her death in December 2025.
In the run‑up to the election, a series of pre‑poll surveys by consulting firms, research organisations and think tanks suggested that the BNP is leading nationally and that Rahman is in pole position to take over as head of government if those trends translate into seats in Parliament.
Rahman has campaigned on promises of job creation, greater freedom of speech, stronger law and order, and an end to corruption, pitching himself as a bulwark of democratic reform after decades of governance dominated by entrenched parties and allegations of electoral malpractice.
He is currently contesting the high‑profile Dhaka‑17 seat against Jamaat‑e‑Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman, with supporters turning out enthusiastically at polling centres in the capital.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 09:34:11 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Tarique Rahman casts vote in Dhaka’s Gulshan
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman cast his vote at the Gulshan Model School and College polling centre in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, as voting continues across the country for the 13th Parliamentary elections.
These elections are the first since the August 2024 student-led uprising that led to the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, ending her 15-year tenure.
- 12 Feb 2026, 09:19:35 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Tarique Rahman arrives to cast vote in Dhaka | Video
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman arrived at the Gulshan Model School and College polling centre in Dhaka to cast his vote in the 13th Parliamentary elections.
Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, is contesting from the high-profile Dhaka-17 constituency. His arrival at the polling centre drew attention amid tight security and steady voter turnout in the capital.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 09:17:58 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Four Dhaka-17 candidates withdraw ahead of polls, extend support to Tarique Rahman
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: In a significant development in the Dhaka-17 race, four candidates withdrew from the contest and announced their support for BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, the party’s nominee from the constituency, just day ahead of the election, the Daily Star reported.
The announcement was made at a press conference held in front of the BNP’s Gulshan office on Thursday evening. While some of the candidates were present in person, others conveyed their decision to back Rahman over the phone.
The move is expected to consolidate support for the BNP chief in one of the capital’s high-profile constituencies.
Dhaka-17 comprises Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, Niketon, Mohakhali and Bhashantek.
- 12 Feb 2026, 09:11:25 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Top Jamaat, NCP and BNP leaders cast votes as polling continues
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: With voting underway in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, senior leaders from Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) have cast their ballots, according to The Daily Star.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman voted at around 8:30 am at the Manipur High School centre.
Shortly after casting his vote, NCP Convener Nahid Islam told the media that his party was “on the verge of forming the government” and urged citizens to turn out in large numbers. “I have cast my first vote in life without any hassle. I urge everybody to cast their vote,” he said.
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir cast his vote at the Thakurgaon Government Girls’ High School centre at around 7:40 am, The Daily Star reported.
Polling began at 7:30 am and is set to continue until 4:30 pm across 299 constituencies.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 09:03:58 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Why this is being called the world’s first Gen Z-inspired election
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Bangladesh’s 2026 parliamentary polls are being described by observers as the world’s first Gen Z-inspired election, reflecting the prominent role played by young voters and activists in reshaping the political landscape.
Many of the young people who were part of the 2024 uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s removal believe this is the country’s first genuinely competitive election since 2009, when Hasina began her 15-year tenure. For them, the vote represents a decisive break from the past and a chance to redefine national politics.
The National Citizen Party (NCP), led largely by Gen Z activists under 30, has emerged from that movement. After struggling to convert its anti-Hasina street protests into wider electoral backing on its own, the NCP has joined hands with Jamaat-e-Islami, signalling a strategic alliance aimed at consolidating support in a crowded electoral field.
- 12 Feb 2026, 08:54:52 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: What Sheikh Hasina said about Bangladesh election?
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: As Bangladesh votes in its first national election since her ouster, former prime minister Sheikh Hasina remains in self-imposed exile in India. Her party, the Awami League, has been banned and is not contesting the polls.
Earlier this month, Hasina criticised the conduct of the election after her party was barred from participating. In an email to The Associated Press, she warned that the country could face long-term instability if the process is not inclusive, free and fair.
“Each time political participation is denied to a significant portion of the population, it deepens resentment, delegitimises institutions and creates the conditions for future instability,” she wrote.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 08:48:55 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Bangladesh deploys 9.58 lakh security personnel, CCTV cameras for crucial vote
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Bangladesh authorities have rolled out large-scale surveillance and manpower across the country.
According to officials, more than 90 per cent of the country’s 42,779 polling centres are under CCTV coverage, reported Al Jazeera. For the first time in a national vote, drones and body-worn cameras are also being used to monitor proceedings. Election Commissioner Abul Fazal Mohammad Sanaullah said the devices will document polling activities and assist law enforcement agencies if needed.
In addition to electronic surveillance, nearly 958,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide to ensure smooth and peaceful voting.
- 12 Feb 2026, 08:44:58 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Long queues mark polling day; cash-for-vote allegation surfaces in Dhaka
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Voting is under way across Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh amid tight security arrangements, with reports of long and enthusiastic queues at several polling centres.
However, there have been allegations of electoral code violations in a district in southern Dhaka. According to Al Jazeera, a man was found carrying several envelopes filled with cash, allegedly with the intent of vote-buying. He was promptly dealt with by a special magistrate’s court set up specifically to handle such offences, the report added.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 08:27:33 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Tarique Rahman faces Jamaat candidate in high-profile Dhaka-17 battle
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: One of the most closely watched contests in the Bangladesh election is unfolding in Dhaka-17, where BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman is taking on SM Khaliduzzaman, the candidate backed by Jamaat-e-Islami.
Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-imposed exile and is widely seen as the frontrunner nationally. His entry into the Dhaka-17 race has turned the constituency into a political flashpoint in the capital.
His challenger, Khaliduzzaman, represents Jamaat-e-Islami, which is leading an 11-party alliance and seeking to expand its influence in the absence of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.
- 12 Feb 2026, 08:15:52 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: When will Bangladesh election results be announced?
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Counting of votes will begin soon after polling closes at 4:30 pm local time, with election authorities indicating that the process will continue through the night where necessary.
Officials have said that the results of the 13th Parliamentary election are expected to be declared on Friday, February 13.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 08:14:13 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Major cash seizure marks Bangladesh election eve
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Polling has begun under heightened security following a tense night marked by arrests, major cash seizures, social media warnings and scattered incidents of violence across parts of Bangladesh.
Authorities detained Jamaat-e-Islami’s Thakurgaon district chief, Belal Uddin Pradhan, at Saidpur airport with 7.4 million taka ($60,000) in cash, triggering sharp political reactions. Jamaat alleged the incident was staged to damage the party’s image, while the BNP accused Jamaat of attempting vote-buying.
Ahead of polling, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman cautioned supporters on Facebook about a “night of rumours” and urged them to remain vigilant.
- 12 Feb 2026, 08:06:06 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: In first polls after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, Awami League absent
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Bangladesh is voting in its first parliamentary election since the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the resignation of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — and her Awami League is nowhere in the fray.
The Awami League, which dominated the country’s political landscape for years, has been banned from contesting this election and has called on its supporters to stay away from the polls.
The absence of one of Bangladesh’s two traditional political powerhouses has reshaped the electoral battlefield, turning the contest largely into a face-off between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and an 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 08:02:21 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: BGB chief briefs personnel ahead of polling day
RTV/ANI Video Grab Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: A picture from Dhaka shows Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Director General Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui briefing personnel at an election base camp ahead of the February 12 polls.
The interaction comes as security forces remain on high alert across the capital and other parts of the country to ensure peaceful voting during the 13th Parliamentary elections.
- 12 Feb 2026, 07:59:00 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman to cast ballot at 8:30 am
Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman is scheduled to cast his vote at 8:30 am at the Monipur Uchcha Vidyalaya and College (Boy’s Branch) in Dhaka, BDNews24 reported.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 07:54:37 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Is BNP’s Tarique Rahman set to be Bangladesh’s next Prime Minister?
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: A series of pre-poll surveys conducted over the past two months by consulting firms, research organisations and think tanks indicate that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has emerged as the frontrunner in the parliamentary race.
The findings consistently suggest that the party’s new chairman, Tarique Rahman, is in a position to become the next prime minister if the trends translate into votes on election day.
- 12 Feb 2026, 07:50:32 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Why voting is being held in 299 out of 300 constituencies
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Polling for Bangladesh’s 2026 parliamentary election began at 7:30 am (local time) across 299 of the 300 constituencies and will continue until 4:30 pm.
Voting in one constituency has been cancelled following the death of a candidate, in accordance with election rules. Authorities said polling in that seat will be rescheduled at a later date.
Counting of votes is expected to begin shortly after polling concludes.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 07:47:00 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: ‘Jamaat in strongest position since 1971’, says expert
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Jamaat-e-Islami may be witnessing its most significant political moment in decades, Shahab Enam Khan, a professor of International Relations at Dhaka’s Jahangirnagar University told Al Jazeera. He added, “This is a pivotal moment for Jamaat-e-Islami.”
According to him, Jamaat’s rise in popularity can be attributed to three key factors. “The first one is the duopoly between BNP and Awami League. They have offered themselves as an alternative to these two political parties that have ruled Bangladesh’s political systems for many years,” Khan said.
The second factor, he noted, is the party’s reputation for having “clean hands.” Jamaat has sought to distance itself from corruption, “which is one of the issues that has ruled the reform agenda and reform conversation in Bangladesh”, Khan told Al Jazeera.
“And most importantly, they have demonstrated themselves as quite a disciplined political party,” he added.
- 12 Feb 2026, 07:42:32 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Long queues seen at Gulshan polling centre in Dhaka
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Long queues of voters were witnessed outside a polling centre at Gulshan Model School and College in Dhaka as polling progressed on Thursday.
Visuals from the spot showed people lining up patiently to cast their ballots. Security has been tightened outside the polling centre, with personnel deployed to manage crowds and ensure smooth voting.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 07:41:15 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: ‘We are very excited,’ Voters express enthusiasm as polling begins
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: As voting gets underway across Bangladesh, many citizens are turning up at polling centres early, expressing enthusiasm about participating in the electoral process.
One voter told ANI news agency, “We are very excited because we haven’t been able to vote for the last 17 or 18 years. We would like to choose the appropriate candidate in this election. The atmosphere is quite pleasant. Security arrangements are good, and we can easily cast our vote.”
Another said, "On one hand, I am happy as this is the first time that I am voting, but we did not get any new candidates for this constituency. We are voting for the same people, which is a bit disappointing."
- 12 Feb 2026, 07:34:07 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Yunus urges voters to make their voices heard ahead of historic Bangladesh poll
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: On the eve of Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary election, interim leader Prof Muhammad Yunus called on citizens to participate in what he described as a defining moment for the country.
In a Facebook post ahead of polling day, Yunus said: “Leaving those chapters behind, tomorrow marks the most important election in history. By taking part in the national election and referendum, let your voice be heard about the kind of Bangladesh you want.”
His appeal comes as voters head to the ballot not only to elect a new Parliament but also to decide on a national referendum proposing wide-ranging constitutional and institutional reforms.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 07:26:53 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Tarique Rahman vs SM Khaliduzzaman in Dhaka -17
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: Dhaka-17, one of the most closely watched constituencies in the capital, is witnessing a direct contest between BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and Jamaat-e-Islami candidate SM Khaliduzzaman.
Rahman, the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years in self-imposed exile and is widely seen as a key contender nationally. His candidature has turned Dhaka-17 into a high-profile battleground.
Facing him is Khaliduzzaman, representing Jamaat-e-Islami, which is leading an 11-party alliance in the absence of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League.
The constituency has 333,777 registered voters, including 174,709 men, 159,060 women and eight hijra voters, making it one of the significant urban seats in Dhaka’s 20-constituency landscape.
- 12 Feb 2026, 07:22:13 AM IST
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: How votes will be consolidated and counted in Bangladesh
Dhaka election 2026 LIVE: The Election Commission (EC) has directed that ballots be collected and consolidated promptly after polling closes at 4:30 pm, as counting gets underway across constituencies.
Returning officers will issue formal notices to candidates and their polling agents specifying the time and location where the consolidation process will take place.
According to EC guidelines, the final constituency result will be prepared by combining the general polling centre result statement (Form-16) with the postal ballot result statement (Form-16A) — which includes both in-country and overseas postal votes submitted by presiding officers.
If necessary, the returning officer may also review ballot papers that were earlier declared invalid by the presiding officer before finalising the consolidated tally.
Once the results are confirmed, the returning officer is required to send an official return — along with the consolidated result statement — to the EC Secretariat for gazette publication. The name of the winning candidate will also be made public through an official notice.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 07:15:35 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: Visuals from Dhaka polling centre as Bangladesh heads to polls
Dhaka polls live updates: Visuals coming in from outside a polling centre at Shantibagh High School in Dhaka show voters arriving as Bangladesh begins voting for its 13th Parliamentary elections.
Polling is scheduled to run from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (local time), with authorities putting extensive security and logistical arrangements in place across the country.
Several major political parties are in the fray, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by Tarique Rahman, son of the late former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia; Jamaat-e-Islami; the National Citizen Party; and others. The Awami League has been banned from contesting the election.
- 12 Feb 2026, 07:02:33 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: Voting begins in Bangladesh
Dhaka polls live updates: Polling has officially begun across 299 of Bangladesh’s 300 parliamentary constituencies, marking the start of the country’s 13th general election. Voting opened at 7:30 am local time and will continue uninterrupted until 4:30 pm.
More than 127 million eligible voters are casting their ballots to elect 300 directly chosen members of Parliament. One constituency is not going to polls after the death of a candidate, with voting there deferred to a later date in accordance with election rules.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 06:54:02 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: Jamaat chief signals push for positive ties with India
Dhaka polls live updates: Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman on Wednesday said his party would seek to build “strong, respectful and mutually beneficial” relations with India if voted to power, PTI news agency reported.
Addressing the issue of foreign policy amid the ongoing election campaign, Rahman stressed the need for national unity, equal citizenship and constructive engagement with neighbouring countries.
“We seek positive relationships with our neighbouring countries. India is our nearest neighbour, and it will remain a priority. Our goal is not to create conflict but to build partnerships for development and peace,” he said.
His remarks come at a time when Bangladesh’s political transition and leadership change are being closely watched in New Delhi, with bilateral ties expected to remain a key focus area for the next government.
- 12 Feb 2026, 06:48:48 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: Tarique Rahman emerges as frontrunner after dramatic return
Dhaka polls live updates: Rahman is widely viewed as the frontrunner in the February 12 parliamentary election. When Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh in December after 17 years of self-imposed exile, he struck a confident tone. Addressing supporters soon after landing back home, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia declared: “I have a plan.”
His comeback came at a turbulent moment. Bangladesh was navigating political uncertainty under an interim administration and preparing for a nationwide election following the 2024 student-led uprising that toppled Sheikh Hasina. With Hasina absent from the race, many Bangladeshis saw Rahman’s return as offering a fresh political opening.
He reinforced that perception at a campaign rally in Dhaka on Monday, where he arrived at the podium under heavy security. Supporters packed into a public park, dancing and cheering as he restated his ambitions ahead of polling day.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 06:37:01 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: BNP vs Jamaat-led alliance in high-stakes Bangladesh battle
Dhaka polls live updates: With Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League absent from the contest and calling on its supporters to stay away, the spotlight has firmly shifted to a direct fight between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and an 11-party coalition led by Jamaat-e-Islami.
At the centre of the BNP’s campaign is Tarique Rahman — the 60-year-old son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile and is now seeking to position himself as the face of political change. Rahman has been promising job creation, greater freedom of speech, improved law and order, and an end to corruption.
The BNP’s principal challenger is Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh’s foremost Islamist party, which is leading a broad 11-party alliance. The party continues to face scrutiny over its collaboration with Pakistan during the 1971 war of independence, a shadow that still shapes public discourse around it.
Speaking at a rally on Monday, Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman told supporters that the alliance had come together “with the dream of building a new Bangladesh.”
- 12 Feb 2026, 06:29:39 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: Over 127 million eligible voters to decide Bangladesh’s future
Dhaka polls live updates: More than 127 million eligible voters are casting their ballots in Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary election, making it one of the largest electoral exercises in the country’s history. The electorate includes 6.48 crore men and 6.28 crore women, reflecting a closely balanced gender distribution nationwide.
Nearly 5 million voters are first-time participants, adding a significant youth presence to this election — the first since the 2024 student-led uprising that reshaped the country’s political landscape.
For the first time, according to an AP report, Bangladeshi citizens living abroad are also able to take part through a postal ballot system, a move aimed at expanding participation among the country’s large expatriate community.
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- 12 Feb 2026, 06:01:34 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: What time will voting start in Bangladesh?
Dhaka polls live updates: Voting for Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary election will begin at 7:30 am local time across the country, including the capital Dhaka. Officials have confirmed that polling will continue without interruption until 4:30 pm, giving voters a full day to cast their ballots.
Authorities say preparations are complete and that 42,779 polling stations have been established nationwide to serve the more than 127 million eligible voters. Voters will choose representatives for 299 of the 300 parliamentary seats, with one seat deferred due to a candidate’s death.
- 12 Feb 2026, 05:55:11 AM IST
Dhaka polls live updates: 2,131 polling stations in Dhaka set to vote under high-security
Dhaka polls live updates: Across the country, 42,779 polling stations have been set up. In the capital alone, there are 2,131 polling centres, of which police identified 1,614 as risk-prone and shared the list with the Election Commission (EC). According to PTI news agency, the army, however, said it has identified two centres in Dhaka city as “risky.”
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