Bangladesh Elections: Voting continues on 299 seats in Bangladesh, about 9,58,000 security personnel deployed across the country.

Dhaka, 12 February. Parliamentary elections are being held in Bangladesh on Thursday. Voting for 299 seats in Bangladesh has started at 7:30 am (local time), which will continue till 4:30 pm at 42,779 centers in the country. After this, counting of votes will begin and the outline of the new government of Bangladesh will be revealed. The elections are being held nearly 18 months after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule ended following massive protests across the country. The 13th parliamentary elections in the country are being held simultaneously with the referendum on the 84-point reform package.

The age group of 18 to 37 years constitute about 44 per cent of Bangladesh’s voters, with a total registered voter population of about 127 million. According to a report by Bangladesh’s well-known daily newspaper ‘The Dhaka Tribune’, more than 127 million voters are expected to cast their votes in the parliamentary elections. This election is being held along with the referendum taking place across the country, which may bring significant changes in the constitutional framework of Bangladesh.

According to Dhaka Tribune, out of 127.7 million registered voters, 62.88 million are women. In a notable trend, about 2.7 million women have registered to vote for the first time, much more than the 1.87 million newly registered male voters. Despite increasing voter turnout, the share of women among candidates remains low. Only 83 women candidates, including 63 nominated by political parties and 20 independent candidates, are contesting the elections, which is about four percent of the total candidates.

To ensure security during the election process, authorities have deployed around 9,58,000 security personnel across the country. Deployment has been increased in sensitive and more sensitive areas. Apart from this, more than 1,00,000 army personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order and ensure smooth conduct of polling. Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League has been banned from the elections and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) seems to be the frontrunner.

The direct fight in this election is between the alliance led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami. Tariq Rahman, 60, son of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who has returned to the country after 17 years, is considered to be the frontrunner in Thursday’s elections. Tariq Rehman has tried to woo the public by making promises like providing jobs, maintaining law and order and freedom of speech.