Bangladeshis are casting their votes on Thursday in a landmark general election — the first since a massive student‑led uprising in 2024 ended the 15‑year rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ushered in a transitional government.
More than 127 million eligible voters are taking part in the vote, widely seen as a crucial test for the country’s democratic restoration and political stability after months of unrest and upheaval.
The ballot features a competitive contest between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), now led by Tarique Rahman following his return from exile, and a coalition including Jamaat‑e‑Islami, amid the absence of Hasina’s Awami League, which has been banned or sidelined.
This election also includes a national referendum on political reforms, covering issues such as term limits, judicial independence, and checks on executive power — reforms aimed at strengthening democratic institutions.