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Last Updated: February 12, 2026, 10:42 IST
Bangladesh Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami emerge as main contenders in Awami League’s absence.
Voters stand in the queue at a polling station on the day of the 13th general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. (Photo: Reuters)
Bangladesh General Election 2026 Voting Live Updates: Voting began on Thursday in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, a key moment in the country’s political journey. The polls come 18 months after Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended following student-led protests in July 2024, leading to an interim government under Muhammad Yunus. With the Awami League disbanded and barred from contesting, this is the first national election in decades without its participation.
The contest is now primarily between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its former ally Jamaat-e-Islami, which is leading an 11-party coalition. Opinion polls suggest BNP as the frontrunner, with its leader Tarique Rahman seeking a political comeback after years in exile. Nearly 127 million voters are eligible to cast ballots across 299 constituencies, while a parallel referendum on an 84-point reform charter will also be held.
Security is tight, with almost one million personnel deployed and more than half of polling centres marked as risk-prone. For the first time, expatriate Bangladeshis are voting through an IT-based postal ballot system. Authorities say drones, body cameras and CCTV networks will monitor voting. Amid hopes of change and concerns over stability, the election is being closely watched as a defining moment for Bangladesh’s democratic future.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Tasnim Jara Alleges Polling Agents Blocked At Dhaka-9 Centres According to Bangladesh’s Daily Star report, independent Dhaka-9 candidate Tasnim Jara alleged that her polling agents were obstructed at several voting centres on polling day. She claimed many were denied entry or forced out on what she described as “baseless and fabricated” grounds, questioning the conduct of voting.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: ‘Will Not Spare Anyone’ – Jamaat Chief Shafiqur Rahman Warns Against Vote Rigging Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Clashes Erupt Between BNP, Jamaat Supporters In Dhaka’s Mirpur-10 Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Chief Adviser Of Bangladesh Interim Government Muhammad Yunus Casts Vote Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, cast his vote for the 13th Parliamentary elections, at a polling centre in Dhaka.
Muhammad Yunus, casting his vote for the 13th Parliamentary elections, at a polling centre in Dhaka. (Photo: Bangladesh Chief Adviser Press Wing)
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Tarique Rahman Pledges Women’s Safety, Strong Law And Order If BNP Wins BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman said ensuring the safety and security of women would be a key priority if his party wins the election. Speaking to reporters outside a polling station in Gulshan, Dhaka, he referred to incidents of violence reported the previous night and said law enforcement agencies had acted to bring the situation under control.
Rahman urged voters to turn out in large numbers, saying that public participation would defeat any conspiracy. He stressed that restoring law and order across the country would be central to the BNP’s plans. “We will ensure everyone feels safe in Bangladesh,” he said, adding, “We cannot leave women behind. Our priority will be to ensure the safety and security of women.”
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Why Bangladesh’s 2026 Vote Is Being Called The First Gen Z Election? Bangladesh’s 2026 parliamentary election is being described by observers as the world’s first Gen Z-inspired poll, highlighting the influence of young voters and activists in shaping the country’s politics. Many youths who took part in the 2024 uprising that led to Sheikh Hasina’s removal see this vote as the first truly competitive contest since 2009. For them, it marks a clear break from the past and an opportunity to redefine national direction. The National Citizen Party (NCP), led largely by activists under 30, emerged from that movement. After struggling to gain broad support alone, the NCP has now allied with Jamaat-e-Islami to consolidate its position.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Jamaat Chief Shafiqur Rahman Calls Bangladesh Election A ‘Turning Point’ After casting his vote, Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman called the election a “turning point” for Bangladesh. The election comes 18 months after Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended following student-led protests in July 2024 and the formation of an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: BNP Chief Tarique Rahman Casts Vote
Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who emerges as a leading contender for prime minister, casts his ballot in the general election.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: 9.58 Lakh Personnel, Drones And Cameras Guard Polling Centres Amid reports of violence across Bangladesh, the authorities deployed nearly 9.58 lakh security personnel and expanded surveillance for the vote. Over 90 per cent of 42,779 polling centres are under CCTV watch. Drones and body-worn cameras are being used for the first time. Officials said the measures will help document polling and assist law enforcement if required.
Members of the army patrol outside the polling station during the 13th general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Jamaat Chief Shafiqur Rahman Casts Vote In Dhaka Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rehman casts vote in the ongoing Bangladesh elections.
Shafiqur Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer (President), votes inside a polling station during the national election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. (Photo: REUTERS.)
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Poll Tensions Rise As Violence, Cash Seizures Reported Across Bangladesh A series of incidents tied to election-related violence, intimidation, and irregularities have unfolded across Bangladesh in recent days, highlighting the tense atmosphere surrounding the polls.
In Barisal’s Babuganj upazila, the army detained two men identified as BNP activists, Humayun Gazi and Enayet Kazi, during a routine patrol. Authorities recovered 102,000 taka in cash and election slips from their possession. The army stated that it is working professionally and neutrally to maintain peace and stability during the election period.
Elsewhere, violence struck Bogura, where Milon Mia, president of the Dhunat Government Degree College unit of the BNP’s student wing, was stabbed near a polling center.
In Khulna-5 constituency, allegations of voter intimidation emerged. Local Jamaat leader Dr. Nitya Ranjan Roy reportedly threatened Hindu voters, warning them against supporting rival parties.
Meanwhile, in Old Dhaka, Jamaat leader Md. Habib was arrested for allegedly distributing money to voters. A mobile court sentenced him to two days in jail.
Authorities also seized 15 lakh taka from a vehicle belonging to a Krishak Dal leader in Lakshmipur, while in Thakurgaon-3, two Jatiya Party leaders were fined 15,000 taka for distributing cash in favor of their party symbol.
In Shariatpur’s Naria upazila, joint forces detained a local Jamaat leader with 7.5 lakh taka and a laptop, according to reports.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Dhaka-17 Turns Spotlight As BNP Chief Tarique Rahman Faces Jamaat Candidate A key contest is underway in Dhaka-17 as BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman faces SM Khaliduzzaman, backed by Jamaat-e-Islami. Rahman, who returned in December after 17 years in exile, is seen as a national frontrunner. His decision to contest from Dhaka-17 has drawn intense attention to the seat. Khaliduzzaman represents Jamaat’s 11-party alliance, which is aiming to widen its political base in the absence of the Awami League from the election race.
Bangladesh Election 2026 Live Updates: Stabbing Reported Near Bogura Polling Station Amid Voting A stabbing case has been reported near polling station in Bogura Bangladesh. Also, cash-for-votes allegations have been raised in some districts in
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