Political Row: Dhaka Sees Heavy Deployment Ahead of Tarique Rahman’s Vote

Voting is underway in Bangladesh’s 13th parliamentary elections, the first since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. Polling is being held for 300 of the 350 parliamentary seats, with nearly 2,000 candidates in the fray. Around 800,000 election officials are overseeing the process, while more than 100,000 security personnel, including the army, have been deployed nationwide to ensure peaceful voting. The principal contest is between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, and Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Shafiqur Rahman. BNP is contesting 292 seats, Jamaat 225, Jatiya Party 196, and Islami Andolan Bangladesh 259 seats. Tarique Rahman is contesting from two constituencies—Dhaka-17 and Bogura—and is widely seen as the frontrunner for Prime Minister if the BNP alliance wins. Awami League is not participating due to a ban, making its supporters a crucial swing factor. Youth voters (Gen Z) and minority communities are expected to play a decisive role. Alongside the election, a referendum on constitutional reforms—linked to the July Charter—is also being held.