Bangladesh Election Results 2026 Live Updates: BNP to take over Dhaka reins after 20 years, Khaleda’s son set to be PM

The voting process for the Bangladesh's 13th national parliament election and the 2026 referendum has concluded across the country, with polling held in what authorities described as a generally festive and orderly atmosphere, according to Prothom Alo.

Throughout the day several incidents of violence — including grenade explosions in two districts — were reported, with political parties exchanging barbs, and some raising concerns regarding the conduct of the election.

Four people are reported to have died due to health-related issues during polling.

Voting began simultaneously at 7.30 am (local time) in all 299 parliamentary constituencies and continued without interruption until 4.30 pm (local time). Voters who were present in queues at polling stations before the official closing time were permitted to cast their ballots.

With polling now complete, the counting of votes is set to begin, and the country awaits the outcome.

The election comes nearly eighteen months after the July mass uprising that resulted in the fall of the Awami League government and ouster of then PM Sheikh Hasina, with voters turning out to elect a new leadership.

At the same time, citizens also participated in a nationwide referendum, casting ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ votes on several proposed constitutional amendments. If a majority votes in favour, the proposed reforms will be enacted.

Bangladesh election commission senior secretary Akhtar Ahmed told media that a total of 648,000 postal ballots have been received by the returning officers from within the country, according to Prothom Alo.

He provided this information to journalists today at the election commission secretariat.

As the polls are underway in the South Asian nation allegations have surfaced that a presiding officer at polling station in Naogaon signed and sealed a result sheet before the completion of vote counting and the official announcement, Dhaka Tribune reported.

The incident occurred around 12.00 pm on Thursday at the Katkhair High School polling center in Sadar Upazila.

Following the complaint, the presiding officer, Nazim Uddin, was withdrawn from duty around 1.30 pm by the assistant returning officer and Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Ibnul Abedin.

Bangladesh's Election Commission (EC) reported a 32.88 per cent voter turnout by noon at 32,789 polling centres, representing around 77 per cent of the total 42,651 centres across the country, according to The Daily Star.

Election Commission Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed shared the figures while speaking to reporters at the EC headquarters. He confirmed that voting was underway at all 42,651 centres and that no suspensions had been reported so far.

The ongoing polls mark a significant moment in Bangladesh’s political history, as the country enters a new phase of its parliamentary journey.

BNP Metropolitan leader Mohibuzzaman Kochi, 60, died while going to cast his vote at a polling station in Khulna. The incident occurred around 9 am at the Khulna Alia Madrasa polling center. Kochi was the former office secretary of Khulna Metropolitan BNP.

According to BNP, Kochi had arrived at the polling station to vote and opposed attempts to seek votes inside the center. Members of the rival Jamaat allegedly pushed him, causing him to fall and hit his head. He was taken to a private medical college hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Metropolitan BNP media cell convener Mizanur Rahman told Prothom Alo that Kochi had been suffering from heart disease for a long time. He said there was tension at the center since morning. Alia Madrasa principal Abdur Rahim was reportedly campaigning for Jamaat, and when Kochi tried to stop him, he and his associates pushed Kochi, causing him to hit his head on a tree.

Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Khaleduz Zaman alleged irregularities at some polling stations.

Addressing reporters, he said, "The situation is not good because without a polling agent, in a separate room, someone is sealing the papers. It is totally disappointing. I have seen this in some places. We were hopeful that Jamaat-e-Islami would win the election, but if this happens, how can we have hopes." Zaman is running against BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman

In contrast, former BNP Minister Sarwari Rahman praised the election process, expressing hope for a positive outcome. After casting her vote, she told ANI,"Everything went very well, and everything is very organised... Women are voting freely... I am feeling very happy. After so many years, proper elections are taking place."

She added, "I hope the result will be fine and the parliament will sit... What we have seen for so many years, I think now everything will be fine."

During voting at a polling station in Gopalganj Sadar, a crude bomb was thrown, injuring three people, including two Ansar members. The incident took place at the Reshma International School polling centre around 9.30 am.

Sub-inspector Jahidul Islam, on duty at the polling station, said voting had been proceeding peacefully until assailants threw the bomb from across a nearby canal, reported Prothom Alo.

The explosion injured Ansar members Sukontha Majumdar and Jamal Hossain, as well as Amena Khanum, 14, the daughter of a voter from the Arambag area. All three received primary treatment at a local clinic.

The blast also partially damaged the main gate of the polling station. Police have collected evidence from the scene and deployed additional security personnel to maintain order at the centre.

Voters at a polling centre in Dhaka's Gulshan expressed optimism as they cast their ballots in what many described as an orderly and peaceful environment.

One voter said, “We saw that from 6.30 or 6.45, voters were in the queue, so maybe this is the first wave. Then normally there will be a gap after some time, and there will be a second and third wave. So it depends on the habits of people. But people are anxiously waiting to come and cast their votes. It's not only voters from Gulshan here; I think voters from surrounding areas are also in the queue. The response is really huge so far, so good," as quoted by ANI.

Another voter shared her political preference while noting the calm atmosphere. “I feel that I am a supporter of BNP, so I wish that BNP will win; that is my opinion. I'm not exactly sure how many female voters are here, but as far as I know, this is a posh area, so maybe more people will join to vote after an hour.”

She added, “But the presence of female voters is less than that of male voters. I can't see any barrier here; the situation is calm.”

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus said Thursday’s elections, the first since the deadly 2024 uprising, marked the end of a “nightmare” and the beginning of a new chapter for the country.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who will step down once a new government is formed, made the remarks after casting his vote in Dhaka.

"This is a day of freedom," he said.

"Through this, we have ended the nightmare and begun a new dream."

Tarique Rahman said the BNP would focus on strengthening law and order if it comes to power after casting his vote.

"We will prioritise improving law and order in the country so that people feel secure if we can form the government," he said after casting his vote at Gulshan Model High School and College in Gulshan-2.

In a post on social media, Rahman urged citizens to exercise their right to vote in a festive and peaceful atmosphere.

"Cast your vote for whoever you deem most fit. Vote according to your own choice, and establish your rights and ownership over the state," he said.

He also called on people to go to polling centres, cast their ballots, and entrust elected candidates with their responsibilities.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman cast his vote as the country held its 13th parliamentary elections.

Rahman, the son of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, formally took charge as party chairman on January 9, days after her death.

He returned to Bangladesh in December last year after spending 17 years in exile. Rahman left the country following his arrest in 2007-08 and later settled in London after his release.

His return was widely seen as a significant development in Bangladesh’s political landscape.

Bangladesh’s leading prime ministerial contender Tarique Rahman called on citizens to vote in what he described as a crucial election following the 2024 uprising.

Speaking to AFP after casting his ballot in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief urged voters to turn out in large numbers to defeat what he called “conspiracies” aimed at disrupting the polls.

"I firmly believe that if people in Bangladesh come out to cast their votes, conspiracies will not succeed," Rahman said, without elaborating on the alleged plots.

"My best wishes to everyone for ushering in a new democracy."

A 28-year-old Hindu tea worker was found dead with his hands and feet tied in a tea garden in Kamalganj upazila of Moulvibazar yesterday.

The deceased was identified as Ratan Shuvo Kar, a worker at Champara Tea Garden under Islampur union, said Kamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Awal, Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported.

Locals spotted the body around 10 am and informed police.

Residents said the body bore visible injury marks and was found bloodied. Some suspected that he may have been killed elsewhere and later dumped in the garden.

Ratan’s elder brother, Laxman Kar, said the family had been searching for him since the previous night. “This morning, we were informed that his body was lying in the garden. We went there and identified him. We do not know why he was killed,” he said.