Bangladesh election sees 60.69% turnout as authorities praise free and fair polls

Bangladesh’s election authorities on Thursday cited strong voter participation and the smooth conduct of voting as they sought to strengthen confidence in the country’s 13th national election, following months of political unrest and uncertainty.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) said nationwide turnout stood at 60.69 per cent, with postal ballot participation at 80.11 per cent and the overall valid vote rate at 70.25 per cent.

The commission said the polls and referendum were held in a free, fair and impartial manner, praising the role of political parties, officials, security forces and voters in ensuring a peaceful process.

STRONG POSTAL BALLOT TURNOUT

Election officials also pointed to strong participation in postal voting, particularly among expatriates, as evidence of broad engagement. The EC said postal ballots recorded an 80.11 per cent turnout in the parliamentary election and referendum.

Salim Ahmad Khan, team leader of the OCV-SDI project on expatriate voter registration, told the state-owned news agency BSS that 15,28,131 approved voters had registered through the “Postal Vote BD” app, of whom 12,24,188 cast their ballots.

Returning officers received 11,65,592 postal votes, representing 76.28 per cent of total votes cast. Of these, 10,73,497 ballots, or 70.25 per cent, were accepted as valid.

Khan said ballots from 4,98,266 overseas voters reached Bangladesh, with 4,98,205 accepted. In addition, 6,67,388 voters inside the country cast ballots under the In-Country Postal Voting system.

Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin also defended the conduct of the election, calling it one of the country’s better polls by any standard.

CHIEF ELECTION COMMISSIONER CALLS POLLS ‘PRETTY GOOD’

Speaking at a briefing at the Central Results Collection and Presentation Centre, he said: "If you judge, it can be considered a pretty good election. I am feeling good. We promised to present an election in a festive atmosphere. We promised to present a completely neutral and credible election to the nation and we do believe we have achieved it. Everyone is recognising this."

In a press release, the commission thanked "all the political parties, candidates, law enforcement agencies, government and private officials and employees, election observers, media personnel, voters and the people of the country for their overall cooperation in successfully holding the referendum and the election in a free, fair, impartial and festive manner".

The Election Commission said the collective efforts of all stakeholders helped maintain stability during voting and counting across the country.

BNP POISED FOR BIG WIN

The election featured more than 2,000 candidates, including a large number of independents, while at least 50 parties took part, marking a national record. Voting in one constituency was postponed following the death of a candidate.

The Bangladesh ist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, emerged as the frontrunner in early results. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman signalled acceptance of the outcome as counting continued.

"We will do positive politics," he told reporters, as the BNP moved closer to securing a parliamentary majority.

The election was held in 299 of the country’s 300 constituencies. Voters also cast ballots on the July Charter, which, if approved, would give the next government the authority to make major changes to the country’s Constitution and democratic system.

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