Bangladesh Election 2026 LIVE: Vote Counting Commences After Polling Concludes
Bangladesh is witnessing a pivotal democratic moment as vote counting begins following the conclusion of polling for the 2026 national election. This landmark event marks the first election since the 2024 "July Revolution" and signals the end of an 18-month interim governance period led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The nation is poised for a critical test of stability after the 15-year tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Key Details and Electoral Landscape
Polling took place across 299 parliamentary constituencies, with one seat postponed due to the death of a candidate. According to the Election Commission, voting commenced at 7:30 AM local time and continued until 4:30 PM. Preliminary trends are anticipated to emerge by late night, with final results expected by the afternoon of February 13, 2026.
Notably, the Awami League's "boat" symbol is absent from ballots for the first time in three decades, as the party remains suspended following the collapse of the previous administration. This has reshaped the political arena, setting up a contest between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and a surging 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami and the youth-centric National Citizen Party (NCP).
Stakeholders and Voter Dynamics
The election features prominent figures such as Tarique Rahman of the BNP, who returned from 17 years of exile in December 2025 and has pledged a "new path" focused on restoring the rule of law and revitalizing the garments sector. Another key player is Shafiqur Rahman of Jamaat-e-Islami, who leads a powerful conservative alliance, sparking both optimism for change and concerns over social freedoms.
A significant factor in this election is the influence of younger voters. Voters aged 18 to 37 constitute approximately 44% of the electorate, a demographic that played a crucial role in the 2024 uprising. With 127.7 million eligible voters, including 5 million first-time participants, voter turnout reported at noon was 32.88%, as per the Election Commission.
Security and Unique Electoral Features
To ensure a smooth electoral process, nearly 900,000 security personnel have been deployed nationwide. Additionally, a concurrent national referendum on constitutional reforms is being held, adding a unique dimension to this historic vote.
The electoral contest involves 50 political parties, with 1,755 candidates and 273 independents vying for seats. As vote counting progresses, all eyes are on Bangladesh to see how this election will shape the nation's future trajectory amid ongoing political transformations.
