Dhaka election 2026 highlights: Voting ends for Bangladesh general elections amid long queues, tight security

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”