The nation is set for a historic day as the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and July Charter referendum take place tomorrow, concluding months of intense political activity since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. Campaigning officially ended early Tuesday, capping a period marked by heated debates, disputes over candidacies, and widespread rallies.
Under Election Commission (EC) directives, all rallies, processions, and loudspeakers in electoral areas were banned from 7:30am Tuesday. Candidates wrapped up final activities late Monday night. BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman led eight street rallies across Dhaka, including his own constituency, Dhaka-17, and addressed the nation via Bangladesh Television on the last day of election campaign.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman carried out mass outreach in Dhaka-15 and other constituencies and also delivered a televised address.
With election materials already delivered to 42,779 polling centres, law enforcement agencies are on high alert. Voting will begin at 7:30am Thursday (tomorrow) in 299 constituencies, except one where polling was postponed due to a candidate's death.
The government has declared today and tomorrow as public holidays to facilitate voter participation.
EC Senior Secretary Akhtar Ahmed assured voters that transparent ballot boxes would be used and all preparations are complete for a smooth election.
Tight security measures are in place nationwide, including 970,948 personnel from the army, navy, air force, police, BGB, RAB, Ansar, and village police. Drones, dog squads, and magistrates will monitor key areas. Traffic restrictions on motorcycles, taxis, buses, and other vehicles will also be enforced.
A total of 127,695,183 voters are registered. Nearly half are young and female. Those aged 18-37 number 55,653,176, accounting for 43.56% of the electorate. Female voters total 62,879,042. Analysts say these groups are likely to play a decisive role in determining the outcome.
There are 2,034 candidates, including 275 independents. BNP fields the most with 291 candidates under the 'paddy sheaf' symbol. Islami Andolan Bangladesh has 258, Jamaat-e-Islami 229, and Jatiya Party 198. The newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP) has 32 candidates. With the Awami League barred, analysts describe the race as effectively a two-party contest. Observers include 540 foreign journalists and monitors, alongside local teams.
Voters will receive two separate ballots-one for parliamentary candidates and one for or against the July Charter constitutional changes. Dhaka division has the most polling centres, while Gazipur-2 has the largest number of booths.
Crowds were already seen at Fakirapul, Gulistan, and Sayedabad bus terminals as people returned to their home districts. Many complained of double fares, while shortages forced some to travel in trucks, pickups, and open vehicles.
Despite hardships, voters expressed determination to cast their votes. Rashed Ali, a day labourer from Cumilla, said: "The bus fare is much higher, but I paid it. Voting is our right, and no one can take it away." Mostafizur Rahman from Madaripur added: "There is risk, but everyone in the village is excited about the vote."
First-time voter Mujahid Hasan from Noakhali said: "The situation is difficult and fares are high, but voting does not come every day. Today's hardship will give us the right to speak tomorrow." Shiuli Akter, also from Noakhali, said she would not miss the chance to vote with her family.
Political analysts note that in the absence of the Awami League, candidates offering issue-based or environmentally friendly agendas are struggling to gain support. Khandaker Golam Moazzem of CPD said: "The country is heading towards a two-party contest, which limits citizen choice on alternative platforms."
With tight security, high voter turnout expected, and anticipation running high, the nation braces for a day that could shape its political and constitutional future for years to come.
Meanwhile, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat, Akhtar Ahmed, said that the Election Commission has completed all preparations for the upcoming 13th Jatiya Sangsad election and the referendum, with ballot papers already delivered to all 299 constituencies nationwide.
He made the remarks on Tuesday morning while speaking at the inauguration of a "Media Centre" for foreign journalists, organised by the Department of Information at a hall of the InterContinental Hotel in the capital.
