Bangladesh wraps up election after high turnout

Record ID: 2340114

  • Title: Bangladesh wraps up election after high turnout
  • Date: 12th February 2026
  • Summary: DHAKA, BANGLADESH (FEBRUARY 12, 2026) (REUTERS) VOTERS AT POLLING STATION FEMALE VOTER LOOKING ON WOMAN PUTTING VOTE INSIDE BALLOT BOX WOMEN VOTERS REGISTERING WITH ELECTION OFFICIALS OFFICIAL'S HANDS REGISTERING WOMAN  OFFICIAL'S HANDS MARKING WOMAN'S THUMB WITH INK WOMAN PUTTING BALLOTS INTO BOX ELECTION LOGO ON BALLOT BOX (SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) 32-YEAR-OLD HOUSEWIFE AND
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: BNP Bangladesh Jamaat election polls close votes
  • Location: DHAKA, BANGLADESH
  • City: DHAKA, BANGLADESH
  • Country: Bangladesh
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001492612022026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:      Counting began in Bangladesh's pivotal national election on Thursday (February 12) after tens of millions of people voted for a new government following the 2024 ouster of long‑time premier Sheikh Hasina in a tumultuous Gen Z‑driven uprising.
        Analysts say a decisive result is crucial for steady governance in the nation of 175 million, as the deadly anti-Hasina protests triggered months of unrest and disrupted key industries, including the huge garments sector, the world's second-largest exporter.
         It is the world's first election after an uprising led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to be followed by Nepal next month. 
        "This feels like a new beginning for the country. So that's why I came to vote," said 30-year-old voter Atif Ahmed. 
         Counting began at 4:30 p.m. (1030 GMT) at most booths, immediately after polls closed with early trends expected around midnight and results likely to be clear by Friday (February 13) morning, Election Commission officials said.
         The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat‑e‑Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP.
         Alongside the election, a referendum was held on a set of constitutional reforms, including establishing a neutral interim government for election periods, restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature, increasing women's representation, strengthening judicial independence and imposing a two-term limit on the prime minister.
         (Production: Napat Wesshasartar, Phyllis Xu)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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