Voting for Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections began across the country at 7:30am today, alongside a referendum on the interim government’s reform proposals. From early morning, voters were seen lining up at polling centres to cast their ballots.Election officials and witnesses reported that strict security arrangements are in place at voting centres in Dhaka and other regions. Polling is being conducted in 299 constituencies after the Election Commission (EC) suspended voting in Sherpur-3 due to the death of a candidate.Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said comprehensive preparations had been completed to ensure the election is held in a peaceful, fair and orderly environment. Nearly 900,000 members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed nationwide to prevent violence and maintain security throughout the voting period and afterward.In addition, 2,098 executive magistrates and 657 judicial magistrates have been assigned election duties. These magistrates will remain active for five days starting Tuesday.The contest is largely viewed as a key political showdown between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. The election is also expected to conclude the 18-month tenure of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus.Masud encouraged voters to participate enthusiastically, expressing hope that turnout would increase throughout the day, particularly among young and first-time voters. Another Election Commissioner, Anwarul Islam Sarkar, confirmed that all logistical, administrative and security preparations had been completed. He predicted voter participation could reach around 55 percent.According to EC data, voting is taking place at 42,779 polling centres nationwide, covering 247,482 polling booths. A total of 12,77,11,893 voters are registered across the 299 constituencies, including 6,48,25,361 men, 6,28,85,200 women and 1,232 voters identified as third gender.EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said 50 political parties are participating in the election, with 2,028 candidates contesting seats, including 273 independents. BNP has fielded the largest number of candidates-291- while 83 female candidates are in the race.Approximately 800,000 election officials are working at polling stations in addition to security personnel. This includes 69 returning officers, 598 assistant returning officers, 42,779 presiding officers, 247,482 assistant presiding officers and 4,95,964 polling officers. Around 15,000 additional officials are handling postal voting responsibilities.Election Commissioner retired Brigadier General Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah said that advanced monitoring tools, including drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and body-worn cameras, are being used for the first time to strengthen surveillance. Security deployment includes over 9,58,000 personnel drawn from Ansar, police, the armed forces and RAB.Breakdowns from EC sources show 103,000 army members, 8,500 navy personnel, 37,453 Border Guard Bangladesh troops and 3,585 Coast Guard members are on duty. Police personnel number 187,603, while 9,349 RAB members are deployed. The largest contingent - 5,67,868- comes from the Ansar force. Additionally, 1,922 Bangladesh National Cadet Corps members are assisting with maintaining order.Monitoring efforts include 55,454 domestic observers representing 81 local organisations, along with 394 foreign observers. Nearly 200 international journalists have also arrived to cover the elections and referendum.International observer missions include representatives from organisations such as ANFREL, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, ICAPP and the European External Action Service.Observers from 21 countries, including Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Iran, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, South Africa and Nigeria , are present. Additionally, 51 independent observers affiliated with various international civic organisations are monitoring the process. Officials say the combined domestic and international presence reflects a broad effort to ensure transparency and credibility throughout the election process.

Manjurul Ahsan Munshi, who lost his candidacy in the Cumilla-4 (Debidwar) constituency due to loan default allegations, was summoned by the election inquiry and judicial committee over accusations of threatening voters. The court advised him to exercise restraint in his public remarks.On Wednesday (February 11) at 3:00 pm, the Election Inquiry and Judicial Committee for the 13th National Parliamentary Election in Cumilla-4  presided over by Senior Assistant Judge Tafreema Tabassum of the Civil Court, issued the directive.Judge Tafreema Tabassum told Munshi that multiple complaints had been received against him over phone conversations and urged him, as a senior figure, to remain measured in his statements.Munshi submitted a written explanation and clarified remarks he had made at an election gathering. His legal team included Barrister ABM Hamidul Mezbah, Cumilla Bar General Secretary Khandakar Mizanur Rahman, Advocate Abdul Awal Bhuiyan, and Advocate Amanur Rahman Khan Tariq.On Tuesday night (February 10), the committee instructed Munshi to appear in person with a written statement by Wednesday afternoon in response to allegations that he had threatened voters. The complaint was formally submitted by Debidwar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Assistant Returning Officer Rakibul Islam.In a press release signed by Munshi on Wednesday, he stated that although his party had expelled him, he would continue to uphold BNP’s ideals for life. He alleged that despite receiving BNP nomination, a group worked to keep him out of the election. Addressing Debidwar residents, he declared support for the Ganadhikar Parishad candidate with the “Truck” symbol, urging voters to ensure victory and strengthen Tarique Zia’s political position.A video circulating on social media shows Munshi allegedly warning voters that if BNP returned to power and they voted for another party, he would not spare them, even threatening destruction of property. Following the incident, BNP announced his expulsion through an official statement.Munshi was originally BNP’s candidate for Cumilla-4, but his candidacy was cancelled by court order over loan default allegations. Afterward, BNP endorsed Ganadhikar Parishad candidate Md. A. Jasim Uddin. Munshi made the controversial remarks during a campaign meeting in Baksar village on the final day of campaigning, sparking widespread debate.In the constituency, the 11-party alliance candidate is Hasnat Abdullah, southern region chief organizer of the National Citizens Party (NCP). BNP has actively campaigned for Jasim Uddin since announcing its support.

The 13th National Parliamentary Election and Referendum-2026 will be held tomorrow, Thursday (February 12). Voting will take place simultaneously in 299 parliamentary constituencies across the country from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm without interruption.The Election Commission (EC) has cancelled the election in Sherpur-3 constituency following the death of a Jamaat-e-Islami candidate. As a result, voting will be conducted in the remaining 299 constituencies.Extensive Security Measures in PlaceElection officials have stated that comprehensive security arrangements have been completed to ensure a peaceful voting process nationwide.Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud said that around 9 lakh (900,000) members of law enforcement agencies have been deployed across the country. Among them, 103,000 members of the armed forces are on duty. Members of police, BGB, RAB, Ansar and Village Defence Party, Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force are also deployed to maintain law and order.For the first time in a national election, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), drones, and body-worn cameras are being used for security monitoring, said Election Commissioner Brigadier General (Retd.) Abul Fazal Md. Sanaullah.Call for Voter ParticipationElection Commissioners have urged voters to come to polling stations in a festive and peaceful atmosphere to exercise their democratic rights. Special emphasis has been placed on encouraging young voters to actively participate in the election.The EC expressed optimism that the law and order situation remains normal and that voting day will also remain peaceful.Voter and Polling Centre InformationA total of 42,779 polling centres have been set up nationwide, with 247,482 polling booths prepared for voting.The total number of voters in 299 constituencies stands at 127,711,893. Among them: Male voters: 64,825,361 Female voters: 62,885,200 Third gender voters: 1,232 The lowest number of voters is in Jhalokathi-1 constituency (228,431), while the highest number is in Gazipur-2 constituency (804,333).Candidates and Political PartiesA total of 50 political parties are participating in this election. There are 2,028 candidates contesting in total. Party-nominated candidates: 1,755 Independent candidates: 273 Female candidates: 83 (63 party-nominated and 20 independent) Among the political parties, BNP has nominated the highest number of candidates — 291. Ten registered political parties have not nominated any candidates in this election.Dhaka-12 constituency has the highest number of candidates (15), while Pirojpur-1 has the lowest (2 candidates).Election Officials and MagistratesNearly 800,000 election officials will perform duties during the election. These include: 69 Returning Officers 598 Assistant Returning Officers 42,779 Presiding Officers 247,482 Assistant Presiding Officers 495,964 Polling Officers Additionally, 2,098 Executive Magistrates and 657 Judicial Magistrates have been appointed to oversee election-related matters.Observers and International PresenceA total of 55,454 observers from 81 domestic organizations will monitor the election. Internationally, 540 foreign observers and journalists from various countries and organizations have arrived in Bangladesh.Among them are representatives from the European Union (223 observers), Commonwealth (25), International Republican Institute (12), Asian Network for Free Elections, and other international bodies. Representatives from different election commissions and institutions have also been invited.Postal VotingFor postal voting through the BD Mobile App, 1,533,684 voters registered, including both overseas (OCV) and in-country (ICPV) voters.* Overseas registered voters: 772,546* In-country registered voters: 761,138As of this morning, 580,665 domestic voters and 481,185 overseas voters have already cast their postal ballots.Transport RestrictionsTo ensure security, certain vehicle movements have been restricted.From midnight on February 11 to midnight on February 12, taxi cabs, pickup vans, microbuses, and trucks are prohibited from operating. Motorcycle movement has been restricted from midnight on February 10 to midnight on February 13.