Bangladesh is all set to hold its 13th National Parliament elections on Thursday, February 12. The elections are being held exactly one year, six months and six days after former PM Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh following a student uprising.
With Sheikh Hasina in India, her Awami League has been barred from participating in the current election. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamic conservative party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami are main competitors with some smaller regional parties also in the fray.
National Citizen Party (NCP), formed following the student-led uprising against Hasina regime, is also contesting the polls in an alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami.
Amid the recent incidents of violence, security has been tightened across the country. The Bangladeshi Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and police personnel have been deployed outside the polling booths.
According to news agency ANI, authorities confirmed that all procedural and logistical requirements have been met to ensure the smooth conduct of voting.
Officials have also instructed polling staff to perform their duties with neutrality and professionalism, while urging voters to participate in the electoral process in an orderly manner.
Over 12.77 crore eligible voters will elect representatives for 299 of the 300 parliamentary seats, with one seat postponed following a candidate’s death.
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According to Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, a total of 394 international election observers and 197 foreign journalists have arrived in the country to observe the election.
A total of 240 observers are from bilateral countries, including independent European observers. Another 51 are individuals affiliated with different global institutions.
Alongside the parliamentary elections, voters will also participate in a concurrent national referendum on the July National Charter, a key document proposing major constitutional changes.