Bangladesh elections witness bomb blasts, clashes and rigging claims as voters cast ballots in historic polls after Sheikh Hasina’s exit amid heavy security.
Violence erupted in several regions as voting continued. In Gopalganj, a crude bomb exploded at a polling centre, injuring three people, including two Ansar members and a child. (File Photo)
Bangladesh began voting in a landmark parliamentary election that signals a major political reset after the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Voters turned out across the country to elect lawmakers in 299 constituencies while also participating in a referendum on an 84-point constitutional reform package proposed by interim leader Muhammad Yunus.
Political leaders described the election as a decisive moment for democracy after months of transition. The vote also stands out because it marks the first national election without the presence of Sheikh Hasina or former prime minister Khaleda Zia. While BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami framed the polls as a fresh democratic beginning, Hasina criticised the exercise and called it a “sham.”
Violence erupted in several regions as voting continued. In Gopalganj, a crude bomb exploded at a polling centre, injuring three people, including two Ansar members and a child. Another explosion at a polling booth in the same city injured three more individuals, including a teenage girl and a presiding officer.
Officials reported that despite the blasts, polling continued without disruption. Security forces increased vigilance around sensitive areas and continued patrolling to prevent further incidents. Authorities confirmed that law enforcement agencies responded quickly to stabilise the situation.
Clashes between supporters of rival candidates also broke out in different constituencies. In Dhaka’s Mirpur-10 area, supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami engaged in confrontations, prompting heavy deployment of police personnel. Security forces eventually brought the situation under control.
Another incident occurred at a polling centre in Munshiganj Sadar, where rival supporters reportedly engaged in a chase and counter-chase following a crude bomb explosion. Police confirmed the clash and said they took immediate steps to restore order and ensure polling could continue.
Tensions rose further after allegations of electoral malpractice surfaced. Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Khaleduz Zaman alleged irregularities during voting. 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...”
Political leaders also addressed the incidents publicly. After casting his vote, BNP leader Tarique Rahman acknowledged reports of disturbances but expressed confidence in security arrangements. He said, "We received some unexpected reports last night, which are not desirable at all. However, we have seen that the law enforcement agencies have dealt with every situation very strictly. I believe that if people come to the polling centres in large numbers today and cast their votes, any conspiracy can be thwarted."
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus described the voting day as Bangladesh’s new “birthday,” while Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman warned against rigging and pledged to accept results only if the polls were “free and fair.”
Authorities deployed large numbers of police and paramilitary forces to maintain order nationwide. In response to election-day tensions, India’s Border Security Force placed the Fulbari Integrated Check Post along the Indo-Bangladesh border on high alert.
Despite incidents of violence, officials stated that voting continued peacefully in most regions. The election remains a tight contest between the BNP-led alliance and the Jamaat-e-Islami-led coalition. With results expected soon, the vote could reshape Bangladesh’s political future and determine the direction of governance after a period of major upheaval.
