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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (February 14, 2026 - February 20, 2026) February 20, 2026 12 South Asia Bangladesh Votes In Landmark Election After Gen Z Revolution B angladeshis lined up outside polling booths on Thursday as voting began for what many say is a pivotal election for the South Asian nation, mark- ing 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 second-largest exporter. It is the world’s first election after a revolution led by under-30s, or Gen Z, to be followed by Nepal next month. The contest pits two coalitions led by former allies, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami, with opinion polls giving an edge to the BNP. In Dhaka, the capital, people queued up outside voting booths before polls opened at 7:30 a.m. local time (0130 GMT), including eager participants like Mohammed Jobair Hossain, 39, who said he last voted in 2008. Voters stand in the queue at a polling station on the day of the 13th general election in Dhaka, Bangladesh, February 12, 2026. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain “I am feeling excited because we are voting in a free manner after 17 years,” Hossain said as he waited in line. “Our votes will matter and have meaning.” Hasina’s Awami League is banned, and she remains in self-imposed exile in long-term ally India, opening the window for China to expand its influence in Bangladesh as Dhaka’s ties with New Delhi deteriorate. Unlike previous elections marred by opposition boycotts and intimidation, more than 2,000 candidates, including many independents, are vying for 300 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, or House of the Nation. Voting in one constituency has been postponed due to the death of a candidate. At least 50 parties are contesting in total, a national record. “This election is not just another routine vote,” Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of an interim govern- ment installed after Hasina’s ouster, said this week. “The public awakening we witnessed against long-standing anger, inequality, deprivation and injustice finds its constitutional expression in this election.” In parallel, there will be a referendum on a set of constitutional reforms, including establishing a neutral interim government for election periods, restructuring parliament into a bicameral legislature, increasing wom- en’s representation, strengthening judicial independence and imposing a two-term limit on the prime minister. Despite the crowded field and expectations of a close race, the campaign period remained largely peaceful, barring a few incidents. “The crucial test for Bangladesh now will be to ensure the election is conducted fairly and impartially, and for all parties to then accept the result,” said Thomas Kean, a senior consultant with the International Crisis Group. “If that happens, it will be the strongest evidence yet that Bangladesh has indeed embarked on a period of demo- cratic renewal.” On election day, more than 100,000 soldiers from the army, navy and air force will assist nearly 200,000 police in maintaining law and order. EARLY START, LATE FINISH Polling opened at 7:30 a.m. (0230 GMT) and closes at 4:30 p.m. Counting will begin soon after, with early trends expected around midnight and results likely to be clear by Friday morning, Election Commission officials said. Nearly 128 million people are registered to vote, 49% of them women. But only 83 female candidates are con- testing. Corruption and inflation are the biggest issues among voters, a recent survey found. The two prime ministerial candidates are the BNP’s Tarique Rahman and Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman. They are not related. Several voters are conflicted about participating in the election. Some, like rickshaw puller Chan Mia, say they cannot afford to travel to their villages to vote and lose their daily income in Dhaka. Others, such as gatekeeper Moham- mad Sabuj, feel disillusioned because Hasina’s party is barred. But some are determined to cast their ballots. “During Hasina’s time, we couldn’t cast our votes,” said Shakil Ahmed, a driver. “It’s my right to vote. This time, I won’t miss it.” -Reuters By Krishna N. Das, Ruma Paul and Tora Agarwala First-Time Voters Praise Smooth Process And Calm Atmosphere At Polling Booths In Bangladesh V oters at a polling centre in Gulshan, Dhaka expressed optimism and satisfaction as ballots were cast in what many described as an orderly and peaceful environment. From the early hours of the morning, long queues signalled strong enthusiasm among residents and those from surrounding areas eager to participate in the demo- cratic process. One first-time voter shared her excitement, saying: “This feeling is really amazing because this is the first time in my life that I have voted, and it’s so easy and simple because the two ballots are not creating any is- sues. The ballot papers are very clear, the symbols are very clear, and the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ options are very clear. You can easily cast your vote. I think there will be no problem for any voter to cast a vote, and the inside arrangement is such that it is distributed into different rooms according to numbers.” “So, here inside the polling center, there will not be any delay. I think they have managed it quite well so far. So far, it looks like that, and if it continues until 4:30, we should hope for the best.” “We saw that from 6:30 or 6:45, voters were in the queue, so maybe this is the first wave. Then normally there will be a gap after some time, and there will be a second and third wave. So it depends on the habits of people. But people are anxiously waiting to come and cast their votes. It’s not only voters from Gulshan here; I think voters from surrounding areas are also in the queue. The response is really huge so far, so good.” Another voter voiced her political preference while noting the peaceful setting: “I feel that I am a supporter of BNP, so I wish that BNP will win; that is my opinion. I’m not exactly sure how many female voters are here, but as far as I know, this is a posh area, so maybe more people will join to vote after an hour.” “But the presence of female voters is less than that of male voters. I can’t see any barrier here; the situation is calm.” “So anybody can attend this program, and maybe females have just started coming right now. But the atmo- sphere is quite good for women voters here. I feel good here at least. I am a female, so I can stay here.” “I couldn’t see anything, any violence or anything at all. The security arrangements are also good all over the Gulshan area in this constituency.” A third voter also praised the process, stating: “I think it was very good. The process was very smooth as well. So far, I’m quite happy. So let’s see. I can be hope- ful for sure.” The voting for Bangladesh’s 13th Parliamentary elec- tions marks a critical moment in the country’s political history as it enters a new phase. Voters in Bangladesh turned out early on election day, forming long queues outside polling booths from as early as 6 am (local time), reflecting both anticipation and hope for a transparent electoral process. The steady turnout and orderly arrangements marked a significant day for voters eager to exercise their demo- cratic rights. The parliamentary elections come at a time of signifi- cant change, following the death of former Prime Min- ister Khaleda Zia and the ongoing ban on her long-time rival, Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. This election is seen as a turning point, as the coun- try looks to move beyond the decades-long ‘Battle of Begums’ era. The vote count will begin at 4 pm on February 12. The Election Commission will officially announce the results in the morning of February 13, once counting is com- plete. With nearly 127 million eligible voters, the eighth most populous nation in the world heads to the polls. Nearly half the voters are between the ages of 18-37, as per Al Jazeera, of which 4.57 million are first-time voters. There are 59 registered political parties in Bangladesh, excluding Awami League, whose registration was sus- pended by the Election Commission last year, nullifying its ability to field candidates in the fray. Of these, 51 par- ties are participating in this year’s elections. In total, 1,981 candidates are contesting, including 249 independent ones. The contesting parties are- Bangladesh National- ist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Jatiya Party (JP-Quader), Jatiya Party (JP-Ershad), Left Democratic Alliance and Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), as per Al Jazeera. Corruption, inflation, employment and economic de- velopment are the main issues deciding the election. -ANI PHOTO:REUTERS/MOHAMMAD PONIR HOSSAIN Awards given to one of the newcomer teams as Rising Stars by Haresh Shah, Executive Committee Member of FIA.