Bangladesh election: Voting begins

Bangladeshis have thronged polling stations across the country to exercise their franchise and elect the next government through the 12th national election.


Balloting began at 8am and will continue until 4pm without any recess at 42,024 centres. But Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal has said time can be extended if voters are still queued outside the polling centres at the closing time (4pm) “until the last person in line casts his/her vote”.



All but one constituency is going to polls after the Election Commission (EC) postponed the election to Naogaon-2 after independent candidate Aminul Islam's death.

There are currently 119,689,289 registered voters in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina cast her vote at the Dhaka City College at 8am.

Of the candidates, 266 are from the Awami League, 265 from the Jatiya Party, 135 from Trinamool BNP, 66 from Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, 122 from the National People's Party, 13 from the Jatiya Party (JP) and 10 from Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh.