Voting has concluded across Bangladesh in the country’s first general election since the August 2024 ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s government. Election officials reported that polling began at 7:30 am local time and continued until 4:30 pm without any suspension or cancellation at voting centres.

According to preliminary figures released Thursday afternoon, voter turnout reached 47.91 per cent by 2 pm across approximately 36,000 polling stations nationwide. Ballot counting began shortly after polls closed, with results expected to be announced in phases.

Authorities said the voting process proceeded as scheduled, although reports of clashes in several areas surfaced during the day. Details about the scale and impact of those incidents were not immediately available.

Sheikh Hasina, who previously served as prime minister, has described the election as fraudulent and called for it to be annulled. The vote is being closely watched internationally as Bangladesh navigates a political transition following last year’s change in government.

Bangladesh is home to a large diaspora community worldwide, including in Canada. Developments in the country’s democratic process are being followed by members of the Bangladeshi community in British Columbia and Alberta.