February 12, 2026 2:07 PM

‘A festival’: High turnout as Bangladeshis vote in landmark election

Tens of millions of Bangladeshis voted on Thursday in an election that they hope will provide stability and growth after the 2024 ouster of long‑time premier Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z‑driven uprising.  With around 128 million people eligible to vote, turnout reached a high 32.88% by noon at about three-fourths of the 42,651 polling centres across the country, Akhtar Ahmed, senior secretary of the Election Commission, told reporters. Analysts say a decisive result is crucial for steady gove...

February 12, 2026 11:54 AM

Bangladesh votes in landmark election after Gen Z revolution

Bangladeshis lined up outside polling booths on Thursday as voting began for what many say is a pivotal election for the South Asian nation, marking a return to democracy after the 2024 ouster of long‑time premier Sheikh Hasina in a 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 garments sector, the world’s secon...