DHAKA: Bangladesh today is conducting its first general election and national referendum since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from office.
The polling will start from 7:00 a.m. and continue up to 4:30 p.m. Throughout the country, people are casting their votes in the hope of solving the political impasse. In this election, two main opposing political factions, BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, are believed to pose a tough competition.
Analysts have indicated that the youth will influence the outcome of the election. A quarter of the listed voters are the youth. A youth-led movement was also behind the removal of the previous government.
The country’s Chief Adviser has called on the people to exercise their franchise judiciously. Media teams are reporting live from Dhaka throughout the day.
According to reports, the interim government formed following Sheikh Hasina’s removal approved the implementation of a reform charter last November. Officials said a national referendum was needed as public approval was required for major constitutional changes.
It is worth noting that the provision was omitted from the constitution in 2011 when she was at the helm, but it was reinstated by the High Court in 2024 after her exit.
Referendums were held in Bangladesh thrice in the past. In the years 1977 and 1985, the people were asked to evince confidence in the incumbent presidents of the country. In 1991, it was decided through a voter referendum whether the nation should be taken back to the parliamentary system of government from the presidential system of governance that was prevalent at that point in time. In all of the above cases, the referendum was passed with a majority.
