Bangladeshis lined up outside polling stations early Thursday morning as voting began in a landmark general election — the first since the 2024 overthrow of long-time premier Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-driven uprising.

With more than 127 million eligible voters, the election is widely seen as a decisive moment for the South Asian nation of 175 million.

Polling across 299 constituencies

Voting is being held in 299 out of 300 constituencies, after polling was postponed in one seat due to the death of a candidate, according to Bangladeshi media.

Direct elections are being conducted for 300 seats in parliament (Jatiya Sangsad), while 50 seats remain reserved for women. After the election, members will elect the prime minister, who must secure the support of at least 151 lawmakers.

Polling began at 6:30am and will continue until 3:30pm. Counting will start immediately after voting ends, with early trends expected around midnight and final results likely by Friday morning.

More than 958,000 police, army, and paramilitary personnel have been deployed nationwide. Around 90% of polling stations are equipped with CCTV cameras.

A total of 42,761 polling stations have been set up across 64 districts.

Two ballot papers, historic referendum

For the first time, voters are casting ballots on two separate papers.

On the white ballot paper, they are electing representatives for their constituencies. On the pink ballot paper, they are voting in a referendum on the July National Charter.

The July National Charter — drafted by 32 political parties — proposes sweeping constitutional reforms. These include:

Establishing a neutral interim government during elections
Restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature
Increasing women’s representation
Strengthening judicial independence
Imposing a two-term limit on the prime minister

If a majority votes in favor, large-scale constitutional amendments will follow after the elections.

“This election is not just another routine vote,” said Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government installed after Hasina’s ouster. He described it as the constitutional expression of public anger against inequality and injustice.

Youth vote shaping outcome

Young voters are playing a critical role in the election.

Around 44% of the electorate is aged between 18 and 37. Nearly 4.57 million young Bangladeshis are voting for the first time.

This marks the world’s first election following a Gen Z-led uprising — a trend expected to continue in Nepal next month.

In Dhaka, long queues formed outside polling booths even before polls opened at 7:30am local time. Mohammed Jobair Hossain, 39, who last voted in 2008, said he was excited to vote freely after 17 years.

“Our votes will matter and have meaning,” he said.

On the outskirts of the capital, burqa-clad women waited patiently outside a school turned polling station. Ruma Khatun, 32, displayed a henna design of “daripalla” — the weighing scales symbol of Jamaat-e-Islami — on her hand, expressing support for its leader.

Major political alliances

More than 1,981 candidates from 52 parties are contesting the election — a national record. Of these, 249 are running as independents.

Two major alliances dominate the race:

Bangladesh Nationalist Party alliance

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is considered the strongest political force in this election.

288 BNP candidates are contesting
9 other parties have joined its alliance
Opinion polls give the BNP an edge

Its prime ministerial candidate is Tarique Rahman.

Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance

Jamaat-e-Islami leads an 11-party like-minded alliance.

224 Jamaat candidates are in the race
The youth-based National Citizen Party is part of the alliance
Its prime ministerial candidate is Shafiqur Rahman

The two candidates — Tarique Rahman and Shafiqur Rahman — are not related.

Awami League banned, Hasina in exile

Hasina’s party, the Awami League, has been declared illegal following her removal from office. She is currently in self-imposed exile in India.

Elections during her tenure were often criticized for opposition boycotts and intimidation. Analysts say a fair and credible vote is crucial for restoring democratic stability.

Thomas Kean of the International Crisis Group described the election as a “crucial test” for Bangladesh’s democratic renewal.

Overseas, postal voting

For the first time, postal ballots have been introduced in Bangladesh.

Nearly 15 million Bangladeshis living abroad are eligible to vote through a dedicated app called “Postal Vote BD.” In total, about 127.7 million citizens are registered to vote, nearly 49% of them women.

However, only 83 female candidates are contesting.

While enthusiasm is high, some voters expressed concerns.

Rickshaw puller Chan Mia said he could not afford to travel back to his village to vote, as it would mean losing a day’s income. Others felt disappointed that the Awami League was barred from participating.

Yet many remained determined.

“During Hasina’s time, we couldn’t cast our votes,” said driver Shakil Ahmed. “It’s my right to vote. This time, I won’t miss it.”

The outcome of this election will shape Bangladesh’s political direction after months of unrest triggered by deadly anti-Hasina protests.

The turmoil disrupted key industries, including the garment sector — the world’s second-largest exporter — and strained ties with India, potentially opening space for greater Chinese influence.

With nearly 128 million voters deciding the future of parliament and the constitution, Bangladesh stands at a defining political crossroads.

Samaa’s reporting team remains on the ground in Dhaka, providing continuous coverage from the front lines.