From early morning, there has been a lively presence of voters at the polling stations

Early on Thursday morning, voters flocked to polling stations across Dhaka and other major cities as the country held the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Citizens, both men and women, arrived with their National Identity Cards (NIDs), eager to cast their ballots promptly, some even arriving well before the official opening hours to secure a spot in the queue.

Polling officially commenced at 7:30 a.m., and from the first hour, polling stations were buzzing with activity. Many locations witnessed a festive atmosphere, as voters participated enthusiastically in exercising their democratic rights. Reports from several Dhaka constituencies indicate orderly queues and a high level of organisation among election staff.

Inside the polling stations, presiding officers and polling staff ensured that ballot boxes were properly sealed and all necessary formalities completed before allowing voters to participate. After verifying identity cards, citizens were admitted systematically to cast their votes.

A voter at a polling centre in Banani expressed satisfaction at the smooth process:
“It feels good to vote in a peaceful environment. I wanted to arrive early and complete my civic duty first thing in the morning.”

The Election Commission confirmed that voting is taking place at 42,779 polling stations nationwide. To maintain law and order, a substantial deployment of security personnel has been organised, including thousands of officers from the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), as well as members of the Bangladesh Army, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansar, and other agencies.

Judicial and executive magistrates have been stationed at key polling centres to prevent electoral offences and ensure the smooth conduct of the election. Authorities remain optimistic that polling will proceed without disruption, allowing voters to exercise their franchise freely and securely.

Polling Overview – 13th National Election

Observers noted that the combination of strict organisational measures and strong security presence contributed to a calm and disciplined voting environment. The Election Commission has expressed confidence that the day will conclude with minimal disruption, marking a successful exercise of democratic participation across the country.