Election Alert: 127 Million Voters Decide Bangladesh’s Future Government

Bangladesh is voting today in its 13th parliamentary elections, the first since the 2024 coup that ousted Sheikh Hasina. Polling is being held for 300 out of 350 parliamentary seats, with nearly 1,994 candidates in the fray, including 256 independents and representatives from 51 political parties. Around 127.7 million voters will decide the country’s next Prime Minister through ballot paper voting. The main contest is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, and Jamaat-e-Islami, both heading multi-party alliances. Surveys indicate a slight edge for BNP. Notably, the Awami League, which ruled for 25 years under Sheikh Hasina, is banned from contesting. This is also the first election without former Prime Ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia. Alongside the parliamentary vote, a referendum on constitutional reforms is also being held. Minority security, especially attacks on Hindus, is a key issue. With over half the population under 30, the election is being termed a “Gen Z election.” The new government’s foreign policy—tilting towards India or China-Pakistan—will be closely watched globally.